LAHORE, Sept 20: Several parties have planned processions in the city on Friday (today) in protest against an anti-Islam video.

The Jamaatud Dawa will stage a protest rally from Chauburji Chowk to Masjid-i-Shuhda to be addressed by Hafiz Saeed, Ameer Hamza, Ijazul Haq, Hameed Gul and Syed Munawar Hassan.

The Jamaat-i-Islami will stage a rally on The Mall. Similarly, the Ahle Hadith Youth Force, the Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, the Sunni Tehreek, the Sunni Ittehad Council and the Jamaat-i-Ahle-i-Sunnat will also take out protest rallies in the city. Christian organisations will also hold rallies to show solidarity with the Muslims.

The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also supported the government’s call for Yom-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH).

The Lahore US Consulate will remain closed after the government announced Friday as a public holiday.

“We appreciate the government for ensuring safety and security of the US officials working at the consulate,” Consulate’s acting spokesperson Aroosha Rana told Dawn.

The All Pakistan Transport Owners Association has announced a wheel-jam strike on Friday (today) in protest at the blasphemous film.

The police sealed the road near the Lahore Press Club for the security of the US Consulate. —Staff Reporter