Protesters take to streets to denounce Taliban attack in Peshawar

Published February 13, 2015
People chanted slogans against militants and blamed the government for not being able to curb the menace of terrorism. -  AFP/File Photo
People chanted slogans against militants and blamed the government for not being able to curb the menace of terrorism. - AFP/File Photo

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD/MULTAN: Protests erupted across the country on Friday evening in the wake of the deadly attack on a Peshawar imambargah that left 19 dead and 50 injured.

There were reports of agitation and protests from different areas of Peshawar where people burnt tyres, blocked roads and chanted slogans denouncing militants and attacks on worshippers.

Meanwhile, protesters started gathering at Numaish Chowrangi in Karachi to stage a sit-in against the Taliban attack on the imambargah in Peshawar.

Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), Shia Ulema Council, Jaffria Alliance and Imamia Rabita Council have announced a three-day country-wide mourning following the attack inside the mosque of the Imamia Imambargah at the time of Friday prayers.

Members of civil society staged protest at Supermarket in Islamabad. They chanted slogans against militants and blamed the government for not being able to curb the menace of terrorism.

They further demanded that the government initiate a clean-up operation against militant elements throughout the country.

Shia scholar Arif Hussain also condemned the attack, adding that these attacks will continue if they are not brought under control. "They are enemies of the state and Islam," he said.

Member of MWM and people from different walks of life staged a protest in Multan against the attack on imambargah in Peshawar. Protesters chanted slogans denouncing the terror attacks by Taliban and burnt tyres near the Nawan Shehar chowk which blocked the road and flow of traffic came to a standstill in the area.

Pakistan Bar Council has also announced to observe mourning in the wake of militant attack at the imambargah in Peshawar, said a statement issued on Friday. Lawyers will appear in the courts wearing black armbands, it added.

Political leaders including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Sirajul Haq and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain condemned the attack on the Imambargah in Peshawar. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain also denounced the attack in strong words.

Imran Khan strongly condemned the terror attack and said he tried to visit to blast site but was stopped due to ongoing security operation.

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