Thousands participate in Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Risalat rally

Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Risalat, an alliance of religious parties, took out a big rally here on Sunday pressurising the government not to touch the blasphemy law, abolish the committee set up to review the law and withdraw the proposed amendment in the blasphemy bill from the National Assembly.
Hundreds of thousands of people participated in the rally taken out from Nasir Bagh to Punjab Assembly. Protesters, carrying placards and banners, raised slogans against the United States and the government. Banners at the event included some supporting slain Salmaan Taseer's presumed killer, police commando Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, who has been praised by religious leaders.
"Mumtaz Qadri is not a murderer, hero," said one banner. "We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the dignity of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)," read another. Activists at the rally, which has been organised by conservative religious groups, called for "Jihad" or holy war.
When asked a senior police officer said more than 20,000 protesters had joined the rally and more were arriving, while another police official said that more than 15,000 people were taking part.
While addressing the gathering Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Risalat convenor and Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan chief Dr Abul Khair Muhammad Zubair said that it was a matter of great concern that the present government had tabled a bill to amend the blasphemy law.
Dr Khair warned the government to dissolve the committee formed to review the blasphemy law, otherwise the next Tahaffuz Namoos-e-Risalat march would be organised in Islamabad.
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hasan said that rulers were intending to amend the blasphemy law on the directives of their Western idols but people of Pakistan would not allow them to do so. He asked Punjab Chief Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to come forward and take a stand in favour of blasphemy law because it is the matter of belief and religion of each Muslim.
Munawar demanded of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to withdraw the bill tabled to amend the blasphemy law and announced it floor of the House.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) chief Maulana Fazalur Reham said that the nation would not allow anyone to amend the blasphemy law.
He vowed that the Western agenda would not be allowed in the holy country of Pakistan, which came into being in the name of Allah and Prophet (PBUH).
He alleged that the government was expressing extremism in its struggle against the blasphemy law. It would have to drop its intention in this regard, he warned. Meanwhile, Chief JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rehman has expressed demand of withdrawal of the private bill that was tabled in National Assembly seeking amendment in Blasphemy Law.
Fazl termed government's action against religious institutions and Madaris, allegedly linked to the assassination of Salman Taseer, as 'bad intentions.
Citing the recent incidents of violence in Lahore, he linked the incidents with a conspiracy being hatched to discourage people who aim to take out rallies. "A private bill tabled in National Assembly seeking amendment in Blasphemy Law should immediately be withdrawn," he demanded, urging president Asif Ali Zardari to dissolve committee which had been formed earlier to deliberate on the procedure of sentence in accordance with Blasphemy Law.
Khair Mohammad demanded for release of assassin of governor Punjab Mumtaz Qadri with immediate effect.
Describing the proposed amendments in blasphemy law as foreign agenda, Syed Munawwar Hasan said the government's move would be resisted at each forum. He said the movement to protect the law was completely peaceful. He further said "evil forces want their agenda implemented in Pakistan to violate the blasphemy of Prophet (PBUH)".
To ensure the security of the participants of rally, only two entries were allowed for the participants in the rally, while the main entry was given at Nasir Bagh.
Political parties, civil society and people from different walks of life join the rally. Amongst these Sajid Naqvi, Professor Sajid Mir, Hafiz Saeed, Ex CM Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Maulana Sami ul Haq.
The rally was also attended by people belonging to different religious sects including Ahle Sunnat, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Sunni Tehreek and others," the Ameer of Namoos-e-Risalat said that millions of lovers of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) attended the protest rally.