MIANWALI, March 18: Traders observed a complete strike here on Tuesday and the locals rallied to protest the republication of derogatory caricatures by the Danish media and a film regarding desecration of the Holy Quran.

Protesters emerged from different parts of the city and gathered at Railway Chowk to participate in the main rally. The participants including lawyers, clerks, students, traders, clerics, political workers and activists of civil society organisations then marched on Kutchery Road, Ballokhel Road and Main Bazaar Road.

They were carrying banners and placards to denounce the Danish media. They also torched the effigies of Danish premier and the Danish flag while chanting slogans against the Pakistani government for its indifference over such an issue, which had hurt the sentiments of Muslim community across the world. They demanded expelling the Danish ambassador from Pakistan and calling Pakistani ambassador back from Denmark.

Addressing the participants, speakers condemned the reprinting of blasphemous cartoons and termed it an attempt to incite Muslims to violence. Later, the protesters dispersed after reaching the city’s railway station.