Protest rallies across Lahore demand arrest of Bhatti’s killers
Large rallies and protests held all across the provincial metropolis called for the arrest of killers of Shahbaz Bhatti, threatening of a long march on March 15 if the murderers were not caught by the then.
The biggest of the rallies was carried out from Gulshan-e-Ravi till the Babu Sabu Interchange of the Lahore Motorway. The protestors were holding banners and placards and chanting slogans against all forms of terrorism.
They chanted slogans against Mullahs and their supporters. A severe traffic jam followed the protest proving great inconvenience to thousands of citizens who were stuck in the traffic jam. All major civil rights bodies ñ including All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), Citizens for Democracy (CFD), Christian Helpline, Pakistan Qaumi Masehi Party (Haqeeqi group), Maseehi Millat Party, Sweeperís Union, Jharo Kash Mazdoor Union, Community Development Initiative, National Commission for Justice and Peace, Christian Lawyers Association, Punjab Bar Council and Punjab Teachers Association ñ took part in the rally . The activists participating in the demonstrations included son of ex-governor Salmaan Taseer, Shan Taseer, CFD activist Taimour Rehman, PPP minorities wing leader Napolean Qayoom, Teachers leader Taaj Haider, MPA Dr Amna Buttar, Naeem, Abid Gill, APMA and Christian lawyers leader Khurram Shahzad Mann among others.
The members of the civil society who were leading the rally said that they would not rest until the murderers of the minister were caught and brought to book. They also announced holding another large protest at the Dubai Chowk Sadar on Friday (today). Another large protest was held by the Christian Democratic Alliance at the Lahore Press Club which was followed by a rally at the Cheering Cross. The participants of the rally expressed their anger and dissent at the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti and chanted anti-government slogans for not providing him proper protection that might have saved his life.†
The protests were staged in almost all parts of the city. Minhajul Quran and Maseeh-e-Millat Party held protests at the Lahore Press Club. The protestors said that Pakistan was being highlighted due to the wrong reasons, demanding the state control the ongoing situation in which no one was safe. They said that the PPP had promised the minorities that the blasphemy law would not be misused but people of other faiths were being targeted, terming it a matter of grave concern.
Protest rallies across Lahore demand arrest of Bhatti