KARACHI, Oct 16: The city chief of Millat-i-Islamia Pakistan, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Nadeem, has demanded immediate arrest of the killers of Maulana Azam Tariq.

If the killers of the Maulana are not apprehended, there might be a strong protest and a new force — Lashkar-i-Azam — might emerge, he said while addressing a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club here on Thursday.

He demanded immediate arrest of those nominated in the FIR.

The police had cordoned off almost all roads leading to the Karachi Press Club ahead of the protest demonstration. Similarly, all shops in the Saddar and Zainab Market were closed. The blockade of roads for vehicular traffic caused traffic jams in Saddar.

Condemning the government and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Nadeem said both are providing protection to those nominated in the Maulana’s killing.

He said that workers of the Millat-i-Islamia are not afraid of arrests, but the same policy be adopted for the other side.

Condemning the government’s failure to apprehend thekillers of Maulana Azam Tariq, Ghafoor Nadeem said 10 days have passed and the government was still unmoved and those nominated in the FIR have not been arrested.

He recalled that during the last 10 days following assassination of Azam Tariq, his party exercised complete restraint by not resorting to any violent means.

However, he said if culprits are not apprehended in a short period of time, it might be difficult for their workers to remain peaceful.

Announcing Friday’s programme, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor said that there would be no demonstration, but a day of protest would be observed and protest resolutions would be adopted in mosques after Juma prayers.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, local leader Maulana Mohammad Amin demanded that cases pending in the court of law against workers of Millat-i-Islamia be expedited.