World | Pakistan
Religious alliance defies ban on rallies
Over 200 protesters including some leading politicians were arrested from different parts of Lahore on Sunday as the six-party religious alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) tried to defy a government ban on rallies over cartoons lampooning the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
- By Amir Mir, Correspondent
- Published: 00:00 February 27, 2006
Lahore: Over 200 protesters including some leading politicians were arrested from different parts of Lahore on Sunday as the six-party religious alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) tried to defy a government ban on rallies over cartoons lampooning the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
The police used tear gas to disperse thousands of people irate that the government had refused to give them permission to demonstrate.
Prominent among those arrested by the police to stop them coming on the roads included the MMA President Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Tehrik-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan, members of the parliament belonging to the Nawaz Sharif-led PML Pervez Malik and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and at least five members from the Punjab Assembly belonging to the opposition parties.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad was arrested from outside the main entrance of the Jamat-e-Islami's headquarters at Mansoor on the Multan Road as he tried to defy his house arrest orders while leading a rally.
He was stopped at a police barricade as he emerged from his party's headquarters to lead the rally. Nearly 100 of Qazi's supporters chanted slogans "Punishment for insulting the Prophet is death", as they stood near the police blockade.
Cricketer-turned politicians Imran Khan was arrested from outside the MAO College in Lahore along with dozens of his party activists as they tried to take out a rally in violation of the government ban.
Imran was released after a couple of hours and placed under house arrest at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
The Jamaatu Daawa chief Prof Hafiz Mohammad Saeed was placed under house arrest at his Johar Town residence in Lahore along with Yahya Mujahid, the secretary, information, of the party.
The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Pervez Elahi had banned public rallies in the central Punjab following last week's violent protest in Lahore in which two people were killed and property worth billions of rupees was ransacked by the angry protesters.
Streets were nearly empty, as nearly all transportation had stopped, and police-manned checkpoints were set up around the city. Police blocked all streets leading to a central Lahore mall where the protest was to be held.
Besides banning the entry of MMA secretary-general Fazal-ur-Rehman into Lahore, the Punjab Government had already placed the MMA president Qazi under house arrest at his Mansoora residence in Lahore.
According to the MMA sources, the Lahore police had detained more than 100 party activists in overnight raids in the city.
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
