PESHAWAR, April 14: Three religious organisations took out processions here on Friday against the bomb blast in Karachi’s Nishtar Park. However, public response to the call for a protest strike was poor.

Life in the city was normal and attendance in government and private offices remained usual. Educational institutions opened and public transport plied without any hindrance.

The Jamaat-i-Islami, which had organised a Seerat Conference at the Nishtar Hall, took out a procession in the afternoon.

Led by MNAs Sabir Awan and Shabir Ahmad Khan, NWFP JI Naib Amir Maulana Ismail and Peshawar JI Amir Hakim Abdul Waheed, the procession marched through different roads. The procession culminated at the Khyber Bazaar where the JI leaders addressed the participants.

The demonstrators were chanting slogans against the government and the United States.

The JI leaders alleged that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and intelligence agencies were involved in the incident.

They also accused the US and its allies of conspiring to create political turmoil in Muslim countries. They said the Karachi blast was a part of the nefarious designs of the US.

They said the purpose of the blast was to create a sense of fear among people against religious organisations.

They refuted the government’s claim that it was a suicide bombing, alleging that it was a pre-planned act of terrorism and the target were religious organisations.

The JI leaders demanded that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Sindh Home Minister Abdur Rauf Siddiqui should resign as they had failed to provide protection to the people of Karachi.

Another procession was organized jointly by the Tanzeem Ahl-i-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Khyber Agency, and the Tanzeem Mashaikh Ahl-i-Sunnat, NWFP, from a mosque in the Karkhano Bazaar after Friday prayers.

The procession was led by MNA from Khyber Agency Noorul Haq Qadiri and Senator Abdul Malik.

The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the incident. They were chanting slogans against the government, US, Israel and India.