PESHAWAR: People mostly from religious parties staged protest demonstrations and meetings across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to record their protest against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in a French magazine with protesters demanding of the federal government to sever relations with France and expel its ambassador from the country.

In Peshawar, a protest procession was taken out jointly by different parties, including Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Ahle Sunnat-Wal-Jamaat, Almi Majlis-i-Tahafuz-i- Khatme Nabuwat, etc. The procession started from Khyber Bazaar and turned into a protest meeting at Soekarno Chowk. The protest was led by former MPA Zakir Shah, JI’s Hakeem Abdul Waheed, Mufti Shahabuddin Popalzai, Maulana Ismail Darvesh and others.

Take a look: Thousands rally in anti-Charlie Hebdo protests in Pakistan

The protesters were raising slogans against the French government and the magazine. The speakers said that by publishing the blasphemous sketches the magazine had hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.

They demanded that the French government as well as the management of the magazine should tender an apology to the Muslims and make commitment that in future such incidents would not happen. They asked the federal government that in case of failure of the French government to do so it should end diplomatic ties with France and expel its ambassador.

Protesters ask govt to expel ambassador of France

The speakers also asked the United Nations to introduce such conventions which should protect the sanctity of the sacred personalities and holy books of all religions.

In Charsadda, several protest demonstrations were held after the Friday prayers under the aegis of different religious parties. The main demonstration was held at Farooq-i-Azam Chowk which was led by MNA Maulana Gohar Shah, MPA Fazal Shakoor Khan, JI Charssada head Misbahullah Khan and others.

The protesters were chanting slogans against France, Denmark, UK and US. The speakers demanded that emergency meeting of OIC should be convened, which should announce boycott of France. The speakers also condemned the reported ban on Jamaatud Dawa by the federal government and termed it a conspiracy of the US government.

In Mansehra, the traders observed a complete shutter down strike on Friday in protest against the publication of blasphemous caricatures in France and asked the government to expel the ambassador of France.

The shops and business centres at Abbottabad road, Kashmir road, Shinkiari road, Zafar road, Badra road and Larri Adda remained closed for the entire day, showing a strong resentment over the publication of profane sketches. The protesters also staged a rally demanding the expulsion of French ambassador.

“The publication of caricatures in the magazine is a conspiracy to perturb the world’s peace. If the Europe and America do not legislate in their respective countries to end such conspiracies then the peace of world would be affected,” said Hafiz Ijazur Rehman, the president of all traders’ body while speaking at the rally.

Meanwhile, rallies were also taken out after the Friday prayers and assembled at Khatma-i-Nabuwat Chowk. The main procession was taken out from central mosque at Abbottabad Road.

In Swabi, the JUI-F staged a protest demonstration, which was led by its district chief Ataul Haq. The party workers gathered in their district office and marched to Karnal Sher Khan Chowk despite rain while chanting slogans against the US and its West European allies who they said had been hatching conspiracies against the Muslim countries. They also raised slogans against the French magazine.

In Timergara, the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), Lower Dir chapter, and Awami National Party held separate meetings in Chakdara on Friday and condemned the printing of sacrilegious caricatures. They demanded of the UN to bring the culprits to book. The JuD activists took out a protest rally in Chakdara and raised slogans against the US, France and Denmark.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play