PESHAWAR, Dec 24: Local leaders and activists of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Friday took out protest processions in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and vowed to resist moves for changes in the blasphemy law.

In Peshawar, the JI workers blocked the main GT Road at Chughalpura and shouted slogans against what they called he government's plan to amend the blasphemy law. Party's provincial secretary general Shabir Ahmed Khan on this occasion announced a shutter down strike on December 31 and appealed to traders to make the strike a success.

Bahrullah advocate, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali and Maulana Mohammad Yousuf Qureshi also spoke on the occasion. They demanded removal of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer from his slot for showing his support to a blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi.

In a separate procession, hundreds of JUI-F workers marched from Hashtnagri on GT Road and held a rally at Jinnah Park. The protestors were holding banners inscribed with slogans against Aasia Bibi, who was convicted by a court in Punjab, and asked for withdrawal of the bill tabled for the amendments to the law.

Maulana Abdul Jalil Jan and Khalid Waqar Chamkani led the rally. They strongly criticised Salman Taseer for making efforts to get the blasphemy convict released through a presidential order.

They also criticized former information minister Sherry Rehman for presenting a bill in the National Assembly for amendments to the blasphemy law.

MANSEHRA: On the call of the Tehrik-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat dozens of processions from different localities converged at the central square and the protestors held a rally against the proposed changes in the blasphemy law.

“We want to make it clear that we will give every sacrifice but will not allow the government to amend the law,” said the speakers. The traders observed shutter down strike in the city and its suburbs.

Provincial JI amir Prof Ibrahim and other speakers stressed upon the government to withdraw the amendment bill tabled by MNA Sherry Rehman. Rallies were also arranged in Oghi, Balakot, Battagram, Kohistan and other parts of Hazara.

HARIPUR: Workers of PML-N, JUI-F, JI, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, PML- and other parties gathered at main chowk after marching through main bazaar. The participants chanted slogans against the government, US and Salman Taseer.

The speakers dubbed the rulers as stooges of the US, who failed to protect the sovereignty of Pakistan.

KARAK: The JI and JUI-F arranged a joint protest procession and warned the government against any leniency to blasphemy convicts. JUI MNA Mufti Muhammad Ajmal and MPA Qasim Khan led the gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, they said that those trying to save blasphemy convicts from punishment also deserved punishment. KOHAT:

A procession after passing through the main bazaar here turned into a rally at the Faisal Gate. Speakers Abid Khan, Maulana Abdul Manan and Qari Abdul Jalil said that Punjab governor and Sherry Rehman had hurt the sentiments of Muslims and the government should take action against them.

Meanwhile, rallies were also held in Upper Dir, Mingora, Mardan, Swabi, Timergara and Charsadda to block any attempt for change in the blasphemy law.