ISLAMABAD: Contrary to fears and apprehensions of the local authorities, protest rallies organised by religious parties and groups against the hanging of Mumtaz Qadri fizzled out on Friday.
To ensure foolproof security, three of the four roads towards the Red Zone in the city were sealed by placing containers and only the Margalla Road was open for traffic.
The main protest in the federal capital was held at Aabpara Chowk which was organised by Namoos-i-Risalat committee, consisting of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Jamaat Ahle Sunnat (Barelvi), JUI-F, Aalmi Majlis Tahafuz Khatam-i-Nabuwat, Ansarul Ummah of former militant commander Fazlur Rehman Khalil and other smaller groups belonging to both the Barelvi and Deobandi sects.
Incidentally, the proscribed group, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (formerly Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan), which has traditionally been a diehard opponent of the Barelvis also participated in the rally.
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While the rally was organised by over a dozen groups and parties, the number of participants was limited to around 300 who too, by their appearances, looked like seminary students, clerics or religious workers.