Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Parliament House on Saturday to denounce the blasphemous movie released in the US, while the situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad normalised following two-day-long violent protests.
The demonstration, held under the banner of Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran, originated from Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi and ended in front of the Parliament House. A large number of women and children also participated in the rally. Violent protests on Thursday and Friday proved that government's security arrangements as well as the decision to announce a public holiday on Friday to mark the day as Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH), was ineffective.
Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, in his telephonic address denounced the Friday violence. Accusing activists of banned organisations behind the chaos, including incidents of looting banks and damaging sensitive installation, he said that Islam "does not permit such reckless behaviour". Condemning the blasphemous movie's release in the US, he said that the move was an attack on global peace, adding that it also damaged ongoing efforts against militancy.
Denouncing the US and international community for what he termed was their 'double standards', he also called upon the UN to redefine freedom of speech and expression by declaring insulting any religion an international crime. He also urged the government to register strong protest against the blasphemous movie in the US and publication of sacrilegious cartoons in France. Another leader of Tehrik-e-Minhajul Quran Dr Raheeq Ahmed Abbasi also spoke on the occasion. Protesters later dispersed peacefully after marching through various roads in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.