KARACHI, Feb 13: The Catholic Board of Education (CBE) has decided to keep its affiliated schools closed to register protest against the publication of blasphemous sketches in some European newspapers.

A CBE communication said on Monday that all Catholic schools would remain closed on Friday, Feb 17, as mark of protest against the publication of sacrilegious caricatures in a section of the European press.

A similar announcement was made by the All Private Schools Management Association, Sindh, after its meeting on Friday last. The association had decided to observe a strike on Feb 17 to register its protest against the controversial publications by keeping all private schools of its group in the province closed.

In the meantime, Federation of Private Schools Management Association has also condemned the governments of Denmark, Norway, France, Germany and other European countries over the publication of blasphemous sketches. It appealed to the governments of Pakistan and other Islamic countries to take cognizance of the anti-Islamic moves and withdraw their relationship with the countries involved in the act.

The body also announced to bring out a protest rally on Feb 16 at 11am from Nishtar Park to Mazar-i-Quaid.