RAWALPINDI - Traders, religious leaders and activists, political parties, students and people belonging to different walks of life, numbering in thousands, marched on Benazir Bhutto Road (BBR) on Thursday to reach the Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad, to register their protest against the profane movie produced in US by a small group of Christian extremists, fanning anger around the world.
Similarly, the traders community also observed complete shutter-down strike in the city on the calls of Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran Rawalpindi President Chaudhry Imran, Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran (Paracha Group) President Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran (Sheikh Group) President Sheikh Siddique, Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran Registers Acting President Sharjeel Mir.
Tehrik Nifaz-e-Khatam-e-Nabuwat (SAW) office bearers also gave protest calls responding to which tens of hundreds of activists took to streets and roads to denounce the anti-Islam movie.
Carrying placards and banners and shouting “Death to America”, “Oh Prophet (PBUH), we die for you, my soul and my blood are for you”, “The only punishment for US film producer and pastor is death”, “We are slave of our beloved Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)”, “Oh Muhammad (SAW) we are here to sacrifice our lives and properties to protect your dignity” the protestors pledged to guard the dignity of their beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) demanding the government to exile US Ambassador and sever its ties with the West.
Burning tyres, US flags and effigies of US President Barrack Obama, US film producer and Pastor Terry Jhones at Rehman Abad and Faizabad by charged protestors sent thick black smoke streaming into the sky. Business activities remained suspended in the city.
Traffic remained off the road, posing hardships for commuters and passengers including offices employees and school, colleges and university students.
According to details, scores of the traders gathered at Chandni Chowk after closing down their businesses from where they started marching towards the Diplomatic Enclave, where embassies of US and France are located, to register their protest against the blasphemous movie.
With the passage of time, the protest rally started expanding with office bearers and activists of religious and political parties, students, laborers and members of civil society also joining in. They were holding placards and banners and bellowing slogans against USA and film producer.
Heavy contingents of police were also deployed at various points to control the law and order situation. However, no clash between police and protestors were reported till Faizabad Bridge. Residents of Dhoke Kala Khan, Sadiqabad and Rehmanabad also set up “Sabeels” along with BBR to provide cold drinking water and juices to the participants of the rally.
At Rehmanabad, protestors set tyres and US flag ablaze chanting slogans against the West and US-produced film.
Torching US flag and effigies of US President Barrack Obama and the film producer, scores of participants registered their strong protest at Faizabad.
They were of the view that no body would be allowed to defame the religious figures of Muslims. Similarly, the eunuchs also raised their voice against the production of anti-Islam movie by demonstrating outside RDA Office. Led by Awaz Shemale Pakistan Chairperson Madam Laila, a good number of eunuchs chanted slogans against the US administration and asked the government to take concrete steps to put an end such acts in future.
On the other hand, Crime and Court Reporters Association Rawalpindi (CCRAR) announced to hold a protest rally today to protest the anti-Islam movie at 3:30pm from Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club while a huge rally will also be taken out from Mazhar Qayyum Road, Lalazar, by the residents at 2:30pm.