Summary Talks between the district administration and protestors held last night remain unsuccessful.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk / AFP) – Supporters of Mumtaz Qadri, former Punjab governor Salman Taseer’s assassin, continue sit-in outside the Parliament House in Islamabad’s Red Zone on third day today (Tuesday), Dunya News reported.
An estimated 25,000 supporters of Qadri, a former police bodyguard of Salman Taseer who was hanged on February 29 for killing the governor over his call for blasphemy reform, forced their way into the capital from its twin-city Rawalpindi, where they had gathered Sunday afternoon to offer prayers.
By evening they were engaged in violent clashes with police and paramilitary troops, who used heavy tear-gas shelling in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent them from pushing closer to the city centre.
On Monday, around 3,000 protesters, many carrying sticks, remained at the city’s main Constitution Avenue close to key government buildings, including the presidency and parliament, which were guarded by soldiers.
Protest leaders are making speeches on a makeshift stage.
Their demands include the execution of Asia Bibi, a Christian mother-of-five who has been on death row since she was convicted in 2010 of committing blasphemy during an argument with a woman over a bowl of water.
They are also calling for Qadri to be officially declared a "martyr" and want the immediate imposition of Sharia law.
The federal government has declined to respond to any of the demands, and the stand-off is ongoing.
On the other hand, separate cases were registered against Chief of Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST), Sarwat Ejaz Qadri, Khadam Hussain, Afzal Qadri and Dr Ashraf and others at I-9 Police Station and Kohsar Police Station for holding illegal public gathering and delivering provocative speeches against the government.
SECURITY RISK
Cellular network services remain suspended in the Red Zone and Metro Bus service has also been halted due to ongoing protest by the religious parties at D-Chowk.
Army men have been deployed outside the Presidency, PM House, Parliament House, Supreme Court and other sensitive buildings.
Security at entry points of the federal capital has also been tightened to avert any untoward incident.
The Interior Ministry has directed the law enforcement personnel to stop other protestors from joining the mob outside the Parliament House.
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