GUJRANWALA, Aug 19: Five activists of outlawed Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, who were arrested by Qila Dedar Singh police on Wednesday for delivering provocative speeches, were sent to the district jail on judicial remand here on Thursday.

Those sent to jail were Qari Muhammad Qasim, Maulana Shah Nawaz Farouqi, Hafiz Ziaullah Awan, Qazi Hussain Ahmad Madni and Mufti Kafaitullah.

The reports said that the arrested SSP activists had criticized the government for launching campaign against the madaris and arresting religious leaders at the beck and call of foreign powers. After their arrest, the police registered a case against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Meanwhile, MMA MNA Qazi Hamidullah, JI district president Maulana Obaidullah Obaid and other religious leaders protested the arrest of SSP activists and demanded their release.

Talking to newsmen, they said the government action against madaris and religious leaders and involving them in terrorism cases would aggravate the law and order situation. They warned that activists of religious parties would soon launch a countrywide protest campaign against the government.