Tehaffuz-e-Namoos-Risalat Mahaz took out a protest rally on Monday against the controversial reform of a blasphemy law. The rally started from Data Darbar and through Mall Road reached outside Governor's House where they staged a demonstration.
The religious groups blocked a main thoroughfare in the provincial metropolis while holding banners inscribed with slogans in support of the police commando who shot dead former governor Salmaan Taseer over his views in favour of the law's amendment.
Addressing the participants, speakers said that Mumtaz Qadri is not a murderer; he is a hero. The protesters were bellowing slogans of jihad and waving flags of religious parties. Heavy contingents of police were guarding the event, which had forced closure of roads in the area.
Rally leader Allama Raza Mustafa Nakishbandi, while addressing the crowd said, "We can not compromise on the blasphemy law. It is a divine law and nobody can change it. Expressing his views, Peer Muhammad Athar Qadri alleged that attempts at amending the blasphemy law are part of a foreign agenda. He cautioned the government to refrain from acting against the will of the masses.
Zia-ul-Haq Nakishbandi, in his address, said the government should carefully weigh in its steps if it considers making any changes in the blasphemy law. He added that no Muslim would ever be willing to allow the government to bring any change in this law.