Responding to criticism over his presence in the rally, the DC tweeted: "This is fake and exaggerated. I went there to convey to follow SOPs, not to say anything against the law and to check arrangements before it even started. I sat for less than 10 seconds to discuss security issues. I was just doing my duty."
Anti-Shia rally in Islamabad:
Participants of an anti-Shia rally that was organised by the banned outfits in Islamabad to protect the sanctity of the companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) have called for a 'social boycott' of the members of the minority Muslim community.
During the demonstration in the federal capital, a speaker asked the participants to make a promise that they would cut all ties with the Shia community.
The speaker urged the government to enact laws against the Shia community who make 'insulting remarks' against certain companions of the Prophet (PBUH). "The government should legislate against Shias just like it did against the Ahmadiyya community," the speaker added.
In a speech laden with hate, the cleric urged the government 'cut the tongues' of Shias over their alleged remarks against the Prophet's companions. He said if the government will not take action against them, they will take law in their hands to silence the Shias.
Reacting to the rally, journalist Bilal Farooqi said that the outfits participating in these rallies are on the interior ministry's list of proscribed organisations. He questioned how are these groups allowed to organise gatherings in the presence of the National Action Plan.
Earlier this month, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) and Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) held separate rallies in Karachi against the minority Shia community.
During the ASWJ rally, the participant chanted hate slogans, such as ‘Shia kafir’ against the members of the Shia community and demanded a ban on Muharram processions.
Since the start of Muharram, there has been an increase in hate campaigns against Shia groups and subsequent blasphemy allegations for reciting Ziyarat-e-Ashura — a prayer that denounces the killers of Imam Hussain. Moreover, a number of Shia orators were detained across the country for allegedly making blasphemous statements against some companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).