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KARACHI, Feb 16: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui have congratulated the Ahl-i-Sunnat leaders for holding a peaceful and historic rally in the city on Thursday against the publication of blasphemous sketches by the European press.
Dr Ibad made a telephone call to Allama Shah Turabul Haq Qadri and felicitated him for successfully holding the rally, and observed that it was the biggest and disciplined rally than other such rallies on the same issue in the country.
He described the rally in Karachi as an example for other cities, and said other cities should follow the same as it portrayed a positive image of the country in the world.
Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui, talking to newsmen after participating in the rally at M. A. Jinnah Road, observed that people of Sindh had demonstrated exemplary discipline. He met Allama Qadri at the Plaza bridge during the rally and congratulated him for holding the peaceful march.
Mr Siddiqui also paid tribute to the law-enforcement agencies for having discharged their duties with dedication. He thanked people for their cooperation with the government.
Arbab: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Thursday thanked the people belonging to various schools of thought on taking out rallies and processions in a peaceful manner across the province, including Karachi, to protest against the sacrilegious caricatures of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH).
In an official statement issued here Thursday, Dr. Arbab said that the whole Ummah is an embodiment of protest against the blasphemy. However, he said, the protest should be staged in a peaceful manner as practically demonstrated in the province of Sindh, including Karachi, which, he said, was appreciable.
The chief minister called upon the people to stay calm and peaceful.
RAUF: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqi said here on Thursday that the people of Sindh had demonstrated complete discipline during the peaceful protest against the publication of blasphemous cartoons.
“They registered a highly peaceful protest and resentment for the hurt caused by the publication of blasphemous caricatures,” he said while talking to the participants of the rally, which he also joined for some time, and later with media.
He praised the Sindh police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies for maintaining peace.
He said the publication of cartoons had enraged the entire Muslim Ummah and their sentiments needed to be compensated by those responsible for desecrating ‘Namoos-i-Risalat’.
MQM ministers: Federal ministers belonging to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have congratulated the Karachiites and religious parties for holding peaceful protest here on Thursday against the publication of blasphemous sketches in Danish and other European newspapers.
The protest was held under the auspices of Ahle Sunnat wa Jamat and other religious organizations.
In a joint statement here on Thursday, Babar Khan Ghauri, Shamim Siddiqui, Syed Safwanullah and Dr Aamer Liaquat Hussain said that this has proved that no Muslim can tolerate blasphemy
They further stated that the peaceful protest has foiled the designs of those who in the guise of protest wanted to achieve their ulterior motives .
The ministers said that the publication of blasphemous cartoons has hurt the feelings of every Muslim.
They also appreciated the Karachiites and the religious parties for paying a heed to the appeal of MQM chief, Altaf Hussain, for peaceful protest against the publication of blasphemous sketches.
The ministers also lauded the government of Sindh, especially the law enforcement agencies, for maintenance of law and order and performing their duties well.—PPI/APP
