Qadri’s death sentence sparks protests

Hundreds of activists of Sunni Tehreek on Saturday went on a rampage in Rawalpindi and Lahore following the announcement of the death penalty for Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed murderer of former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer. Qadri’s supporters gathered outside Adiyala Jail during the hearing on Saturday and took to the streets soon after the court announced the verdict. They denounced the court decision and chanted slogans against the government, court and the United States. “This decision was made to please the Jewish lobby,” said Sahibzada Ataur Rehman, a leader of the Sunni Tehreek. “Don’t push us towards violence, because we’re ready to give our lives for this,” said Shahid Ghauri, another Sunni Tehreek leader, as he addressed the crowd outside the jail. The protesters were of the view that a thousand Mumtaz Qadris would be born by punishing one Mumtaz Qadri. Qadri’s supporters later gathered at Liaqat Park, where former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was murdered, and tore several of her posters hoisted around the site. They also announced to call a wheel jam protest for next Friday. The angry, stick-wielding protesters also tried forcing closure of shops, but dispersed peacefully sometime later. Scores of activists and workers of Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan Islamabad and Islamic Students Federation also blocked the main IJ Principal Road for an hour at Faizabad to protest the death sentence awarded to Qadri. The situation also turned bitter in Lahore with some religious leaders announcing Rs 5 million as head money on the judge who announced the verdict against Qadri. Hundreds of protesters rallied from Data Darbar to Faisal Chowk on The Mall, forcing the closure of shops along The Mall, Hall Road and other markets in the area. The sit-in at Faisal Chowk continued late into the evening, causing severe hardships for citizens. Addressing the protesters, religious leaders demanded Qadri’s immediate release. Sunni Tehreek Divisional President Mujahid Abdul Rasool Khan vowed to challenge the sentence in a higher court. He said Qadri was a hero and a true lover of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He said if Raymond Davis could be released under the pretext of Diyaat, why not Qadri.