Pro-Qadri protestors continue sit-in outside Parliament on second day
The federal government has declined to respond to any of the demands, and the stand-off is ongoing.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk / AFP) – Hundreds of supporters of Mumtaz Qadri, who was hanged last month for killing Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, continued their sit-in outside the Parliament House in Islamabad’s Red Zone today (Monday), Dunya News reported.
Earlier on Sunday, Pak Army deployed troops on the streets of the capital after thousands of stone-throwing pro-Qadri protestors clashed with police in chaotic scenes.
Mumtaz Qadri was executed on February 29. He was working as a bodyguard for Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer when he shot him in 2011 over the call to reform the blasphemy law.
An estimated 25,000 supporters of the former police bodyguard gathered in Islamabad’s twin city Rawalpindi in the afternoon to offer prayers, before turning toward the heavily-barricaded capital, which was patrolled by hundreds of police and paramilitary soldiers.
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 were making speeches on a makeshift stage, as supporters drank tea from plastic bags and washed themselves using water bottles.
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. Auhorities have also sought help from religious scholars to deal with the situation.
Sit-ins, or "dharnas", are a popular form of political protest in Pakistan.
WATCH VIDEO:
