ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) received a vote of confidence from some unlikely allies, as the proscribed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) – formerly known as the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) – rallied in support of the ruling party after Friday prayers.

The demonstrators, led by ASWJ chief Ahmed Ludhianvi, marched from the Lal Masjid to the National Press Club, in opposition to what they called “attempts to replicate an Iran-style revolution in Pakistan”.

However, the rally was punctuated by sectarian slogans. ASWJ and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) members who spoke at the rally also used derogatory language towards Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan, Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Tahirul Qadri and Raja Nasir Abbas of the Majlis-i-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM).

Participants of the rally, titled the ‘Defence of Islam and Stability of Pakistan’ also denounced J. Salik, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and the Chaudhrys of Gujrat for siding with Mr Khan and Dr Qadri.

ASWJ rallies in support of democracy, alleges Qadri wants to impose Iran-style revolution on Pakistan

Consisting mostly of students and teachers from local Deobandi ASWJ-affiliated madressahs and Lal Masjid, rally participants even carried placards bearing incendiary slogans, including one that said: “Those opposing the PML-N government would do so over our dead bodies”.

The primary thrust of all the speakers was the claim that Allama Tahirul Qadri was trying to force a revolution on the country, along the lines of the Ayatollah Khomeni-led Iranian revolution of 1979.

Ludhianvi said that Dr Qadri was “conspiring against Sunnis in Pakistan by importing the Iranian Revolution”.

“Ahle Sunnat is the majority (sect) in Pakistan and we want our brand of Sharia in the country,” he said, stopping short of hurling direct threats against both the PAT and PTI.

Challenging both party leaders, he said his party could call so many people to the capital that there will be “no space left”, adding that the protesters on Constitution Avenue would “all run away after seeing the numbers of our supporters”.Mr Ludhianvi also had a word of advice for both PAT and PTI.

“I regret the 14 deaths in Model Town, but more than 7,000 of our workers have been assassinated, yet we have never taken to the streets in protest. Imran Khan is upset about electoral rigging; I too am a victim of rigging but I’ve taken a legal recourse,” the ASWJ chief said, adding, “My advice to both of you: learn from our example and don’t act like extremists”.

JUI-S Islamabad chapter head Sheikhul Hadis Abdul Rauf called the PTI and PAT marches “a conspiracy against Islam and Pakistan” and called upon all Sunnis to rise up in defence of their religion and country.

PML-N youth wing leaders and members of the party’s Islamabad chapter, who were also present on stage at the time, lauded the ASWJ for coming out in support of Islam, Pakistan and democracy.

As the participants raised sectarian slogans, PML-N Youth Wing’s Yasir Abbasi said that neither Imran Khan nor Dr Qadri had ever stood up against threats to Islam or the country.

“Maulana Ludhianvi is the real defender of Islam. He is our leader – we look to you whenever Islam faces hard times,” Mr Abbasi said.

Senior ASWJ leader Masoodur Rehman Usmani even went as far as to suggest that the term ‘Mustafavi Revolution’ – being used by Tahirul Qadri and his supporters – had nothing to do with the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).“This refers to the name of one of Ayatullah Khomeni’s daughter, who was called Mustafavi. She would indoctrinate Tahirul Qadri with ideas from the Iranian revolution,” Usmani told the crowd, branding Dr Qadri “an infidel” and denouncing Imran Khan for “spreading obscenity and shamelessness among the women of Islamabad”.

However, political analysts have a grave view of the ASWJ’s decision to join the fray in defence of ‘democracy’.

“It seems the PML-N has unleashed its ally among extremist groups, but it is dangerous to give them space,” senior journalist and commentator Zahid Hussain told Dawn, adding, “The government needs to resolve the issue through political means, not by bringing proscribed groups to its aid”.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd , 2014