Protest rallies were organised in Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and 13 other towns at the call of Wifaq-ul-Madaris Arabia and Ahle Sunnat-wal-Jamaat on Friday against the Rawalpindi riots and killing of innocent people. Army was deployed in different areas of Multan city. The demo was led by Syed Anwar Ali Shah, Haji Shahabuddin. The participants demanded immediate arrest and trial of the culprits involved in Rawalpindi, Multan, Chishtian and Chiniot tragedy in which a number of innocent people were killed and many hurt.
The speakers said that no action was taken against the culprits who burnt the property of the people and set the religious seminary on fire in the presence of heavy police contingent.
They demanded immediate payment of compensation to the bereaved families. Pakistan Ulema Council, Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan and other religious organisations observed peace day and organised a rally from Vehari Chowk under the leadership of Allama Anwarul Haq Mujahid, Maulana Ayyazul Haq Qasimi, Sheikh Muhammad Yaquob and Muhammad Safdar.
Clerics have appealed to the government to give strict punishments to people involved in the Rawalpindi incident.
The district administration has imposed a ban on all kinds of gatherings, demonstrations and rallies.
Extra police force from Lodhran, Khanewal and Vehari has been called in Multan to avert any untoward situation in the city while army troops have been deployed at Chowk Shaheedan and Shah Gardez.
Section 144 has been imposed in Bahawalnagar and Chishtian while security of Imambargahs and other religious seminaries has been increased. Private educational institutions remained closed while thin attendance was reported in government educational institutions and offices.