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ISLAMABAD: Despite a reputation for being comparatively docile in their street agitation, followers of various groups belonging to the Barelvi school of thought seem to have taken the authorities by surprise.
The last time these groups took to the streets of Islamabad was during the trial of Mumtaz Qadri. Even then, their lack of organisation was evident from the fact that most of their numbers were arrested and bundled off to prison, leaving the agitation in tatters.
Sunday’s march on D-Chowk from Liaquat Bagh was also not led by any established party, but rather proceeded under the banner of the Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah, which is a coalition of several, mostly unknown Barelvi groups.
Among these, the most active is the Sunni Tehreek, led by Sarwat Ijaz Qadri. Then come the Aalmi Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat, led by Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri and the Fidayeen-i-Khatam-i-Nabuwat, led by Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi.
Sunni Tehreek, other Barelvi groups new to street agitation make up bulk of demonstrators
Allama Rizvi is also the movement’s patron-in-chief, while Pir Afzal Qadri is its patron with Dr Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali as chairman.
Dr Jalali, who is the leader of the Pakistan Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat, is a known advocate of Barelvi traditions and the secretary of the Sunni Ittehad Council.
Incidentally, his party is on the opposite end of the ideological spectrum as the similarly-named Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) – formerly known as the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan – which belongs to the Deobandi school of thought.
But when asked what their motivation was, several participants of the sit-in at D-Chowk claimed they had been ‘deceived’ by the authorities, which forced them to march on parliament.
“Our leaders wanted to present a charter of demands to the authorities and there was enormous public pressure that we do something, so we gave them two hours. Later, the deadline was extended by another two hours but there was still no reply,” Mohammad Hussain Qadri, who came from Gujrat, told Dawn on Monday evening.
Another group that came down from AJK and walked all the way from Liaquat Bagh to D-Chowk said the plan was simply to hold Mumtaz Qadri’s chehlum in Liaquat Bagh and disperse.
“But when the authorities detained the leaders who wanted to present our demands, we all began running towards Islamabad,” said Poonch-resident Raiq.
Their sudden change of plan not only took authorities in Rawalpindi by surprise, it also rendered the security plan of Islamabad police useless.
A visit to D-Chowk on Monday revealed that the participants of the sit-in were undisciplined and lacked coordination, indicating that there may not be a single chain of command or authority who is calling the shots.
But Dr Jalali, who is one of the main leaders of the sit-in, told Dawn that the participants were “guided by their love and affection for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)”.
But he declined to respond when asked to reveal who had come up with the idea to march on Islamabad and when the decision was taken. “We’d like to keep that a mystery,” he said, when pressed for comment.
Sunni Tehreek leader Sarwat Ijaz Qadri had called for an army operation in Punjab while speaking to reporters on Monday. In a separate press statement , he said that the government had launched a drive to shift the country towards secularism.
He decried the judiciary, saying that justice could be brought and sold in the country, adding that the Mumtaz Qadri case was an instance of “judicial murder”.
He also opposed the Protection of Women against Violence bill, which was recently approved by the Punjab Assembly, saying that a committee consisting of Ahle Sunnat clerics be formed immediately to address the concerns of religious parties.
Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2016
Comments (29) Closed
Take them all to task
Why there are so many religious group? What is their agenda?Do we really need these outfit who always create problem.
Forget the leaders and leader's name, see the mob, how strong, committed and passionate they are. On the other hand see the most weakest and scared state administration. It looks the whole interior ministry were sleeping somewhere.
There is no convincing these folks..Only strong arming them and cutting their finance will work...
In Arab countries.. no one is allowed to run religious party as state is taking care of religious matters. Adopt same good practice here and form council of legitimate clerics.
All these Tehriks and their Leaders need to be taught what are the teachings of Prophet Muhammad SAWS. They are giving half or incomplete lessons to their followers.
For violence they all are on same page be it Women protection bill or silence on suicide bombing.
The Establishment, feels these protest are minor infringements and can be controlled. They can one day snowball into a mighty conflagration out of control. Try and place reason before a mob!!!
It's not about religion. Religion is only good when it's personal and evil when it's enforced. This is about teaching all and sundry that no one, absolutely NO ONE, will be allowed to challenge an elected govt except through constitution and parliament.
The government should be ruthless with these relegious nutters and put behind bars. There is justification for physical violence in demonstration. We have to stand up to these thugs.
The root cause of the mess in Pakistan is lack of proper education. The decades of Government infertility in providing proper education system and economic development and rampant corruption has lead to intolerance, ignorance and jahalat. It will take decades to overhaul the process and decades more to see the desired positive outcome. There is always hope when there is a will.
The statement that they would like to keep it a mystery about who had come up with the idea to march on Islamabad, is in itself a reply. Clearly, they were financed and well fed by those who want to cook their broth in the fire they ignite. There are many such groups in operation through several hidden vested interests.
@naji : Or, they are all part of the whole parcel!
why people forget protest of PTI which disturbed the whole country, they also have right to protest
Only yesterday Donald Trump had boasted that he knew who was behind terror in Pakistan but would not tell till he wins !
If they have a problem with the government, deal with the government. Why destroying the country? What have they achieved by destroying Metro station, and other people's property? NOTHING. That is why Education is a must, both religious and worldly. It makes human A HUMAN.
Sad to see destruction cause by these people. And so Soft language by media. Just imagine if someone throw banana during politicial gathering press will go banana.
The fake religious leaders need to be taken to task.
Who will pay for the damages done to Metro stations?
@Faizan Qureshi - These people are protesting a rightful decision taken by Supreme court and challenging the writ of the the state.
All these leaders should be made to pay for all the destruction to public properties.
These simple ppl are lead by ppl who want to destroy the country. No dout they are receiving thousands of dollars for this job
People of Pakistan are those ones in the world, who would destroy their own home, light fire to their own property and damage everything for which they have paid taxes for, just for the wrong doing of someone else. Really remarkable people I must say.
What you can except from people who spit on the ground.
A shame for the Nation!!! The mere fact that such a demonstration is taking place is a huge embarassment in itself, to say the least! It is disgusting!!! Protests in favour of a cold blooded murderer!! A crimnial!!
The biggest and the mother of all curses is illiteracy. Pakistan must spread education on war footings,if it is to survive.
@Tahera Couldn't agree more.
Who ever is leading this thing, the damage they have created during the process is loss to the nation.
Who is leading this sit-in? A Few Decades Old Religious Groups Who Have Successfully Divided the Nation in Religion