ISLAMABAD, March 4: High security arrangements in the surroundings of Lady Fatima Church on Friday marred the service for the slain federal minister Shahbaz Bhatti.

With Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani attending the service, around 200 Christians were stranded outside, as police barred them from entering the church. The roads leading to the church were blocked as the Rangers, police commandos and security men in plainclothes were deployed, with snipers on the rooftops of the nearby buildings. Apart from the prime minister, envoys of US, Canada, Germany, Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands, Brazil, Turkey, cabinet members, legislators and civil society activists attended the funeral service. Amid gloom and dismay, the church having the capacity of about 500 people was jam packed.

Outside the people coming to attend the service protested against the police's refusal to allow them to enter the church. “We have lost a minister and you are not allowing us to see our leader's service,” said a young Christian girl, who climbed the church's gate and chanted slogans against the government. The protesters also had an argument with the security officials present there. Soon the Islamabad Capital Territory administration called in the riot police.

As Mr Gilani was busy making a speech inside the church during the 90-minute, the protestors continued to chant slogans against the government and the police. They also called the slain minister a hero of minorities, chanting traditional slogans like ' Bhatti teray khuoon inqilab aaye ga' and ' Hum dernay waloo may say nahee' . Foreign security staff, members of diplomatic missions and foreign media witnessed the standoff. But no police official was willing to allow them to enter the church. “I and my family have come from Sialkot to attend the service but we have not been allowed to enter the church,” said Asif Masih.

Before the service, Bishop Anthony Ruffin, who looks after the Lady Fatima Church, told Dawn: “This is a very sad day for minorities. But we still believe in peace and harmony. I will give message of hope to my people and everyone living in this country. But we need is justice from the government.”

After the prime minister left, the protesters were allowed to enter the church but the body of the slain minister, wrapped in Pakistan's flag along with the flag of All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), was immediately moved out. “We could not see the minister's face,” said a distressed Asiya Gill, who reached outside the church by 12:30pm but could not attend the service.

Followed by the riot police, the protesters marched towards the Faisal Avenue and blocked it for more than 30 minutes. Afterwards, they dispersed peacefully. Most of the protesters belonged to APMA, which was headed by the slain minister.

Later, the body of the minister was taken to his native town in a helicopter.