ISLAMABAD: The Red Zone was sealed by the police on Sunday, preventing a Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) rally headed towards the Indian embassy to protest killings in Indian-held Kashmir from entering the area.

Participants of the rally instead erected a stage at Nadra Chowk, and dispersed peacefully after delivering speeches.

Rallies and protests have been held at national and international levels to condemn the recent killings of Kashmiris by Indian forces. The Senate has also passed a resolution urging international human rights groups, the United Nations, the Organisation and Islamic Cooperation and the international community to take notice of human rights violations in IHK and play their role in ending these violations.

In a recent visit to Azad Kashmir, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also criticised the Indian forces, while Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has written to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon on the matter.

JI had announced plans to hold a rally from Liaqat Bagh to the Indian embassy on Sunday, and Hizul Mujahideen leader Sayid Salahuddin also accompanied the rally. Meanwhile, Islamabad police sealed the Red Zone to prevent the rally from entering.

Speaking at the protest, JI chief Sirajul Haq told participants Pakistan would be incomplete unless Kashmir becomes a part of the country. He said Indian troops were killing innocent Kashmiris while rulers were sending gifts to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Pakistan should focus on diplomacy on the Kashmir issue rather than cultural exchange programmes with India. I am thankful to China, who took a diplomatic stand on the Kashmir issue for Pakistan,” he said.

He also announced that the JI would organise an international conference on the issue on July 29. “JI will match towards Wagah Border on July 31. We will continue to support the Kashmiri nation and the youth who are still sacrificing for Pakistan,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) supporters turned to social media to claim that the Red Zone was blocked to prevent a PTI protest scheduled for Monday in front of the National Accoutability Bureau.

However, a police official who requested anonymity said the Red Zone was sealed because of the JI rally, and no instructions had been given to seal the area because of the PTI protest.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2016