Twenty three people dead. More than 150 injured. A church, several police and private vehicles and cinema houses torched. Banks and shops looted and vandalized. Infrastructure worth millions of rupees damaged.
All in the name of a religion that preaches peace and tolerance and shuns violence.
Friday’s protests across the country against the blasphemous anti-Islam film, which has already set the Muslim world on fire, were a far cry from how followers of the religion of peace ought to react.
As the nation went ahead with marking the Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (SAW), horrific incidents of violence, arson and sabotage were reported from across the country throughout the day.
The calls for peaceful demonstrations from the government, political and religious leaders apparently fell on deaf ears, as the countrymen up in protests for a sacred cause resisted no evil temptation of acting like an unruly mob.
Karachi
Worst reports came from Karachi, where 18 people, including four policemen, an SHO among them, were killed and a church reportedly vandalized besides other acts of violence that appeared meager in face of the tragic loss of human life and an uncalled for attack on many people’s symbol of faith – an act exactly being protested against by Pakistanis.
The protesters reportedly threw stones at a church on Drigh Road but there was no serious damage.
Unruly mobs also set ablaze five cinemas, 12 vehicles, including seven police mobile vans, branches of five private banks, three restaurants and two police checkposts to vent their anger against the hate film.
Several political and religious parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Jamaatud Dawa, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, Sunni Tehreek and various student organizations took out rallies after Friday prayers and headed towards the US Consulate.
Roads leading to the consulate and other foreign properties had already been blocked by placing containers, while all commercial centers and fuel stations remained shut for business. The city’s entry and exit points were also under high security and helicopters were also busy in aerial surveillance, besides deployment of thousands of security personnel.
All major rallies converged at PIDC and tried moving forward towards the US consulate.
The protesters managed to remove containers placed at PIDC to march towards the US Consulate, forcing police to fire in the air to scare the crowd away. However, the police firing provoked the mob, resulting in violence.
Twelve vehicles, including four police mobile vans, were set ablaze at PIDC and areas around the US Consulate, and building of three private banks on Shahrah-e-Faisal, three restaurants and two police checkposts near Metropole Hotel were also set on fire.
Three police vans were also torched outside the Chief Minister’s House.
The protesters also targeted fire brigades and ambulances.
Other clashes erupted in Sohrab Goth and on the Super Highway. Protests turned violent at Sohrab Goth, Gurumandar and Khudadad Chowrangi when police tried to stop their progress.
The first tragedy was reported when three people were injured in firing incidents in Steel Town during the clashes between police and protesters.
As the news of clashes spread, more riots erupted in other parts of the city. Angry protesters blocked the National Highway in Karachi, with thousands of protesters coming on to the road and pelting stones at passing vehicles.
The first casualty was reported from Sohrab Goth, where a policeman succumbed to injuries. Four protesters and a policeman were injured in clashes at Netty Jetty Bridge. The policeman succumbed to injuries on the way to a hospital.
Media personnel and rescue workers were also tortured by the protesters, leaving four cameramen injured.
Eight dead bodies were brought to Jinnah Hospital, four to Civil Hospital and three to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.
Some of the protesters did not hesitate looting and vandalizing public and private properties as well. A group attacked the mobile phones market in Saddar and looted two shops. Another mob looted a shop at PIDC, as another tried to make away with an ATM.
Later at night, a crowd attacked the Mangophir police station, killing a sub-inspector, and leaving several others injured.
Peshawar
Protesters in Peshawar and rest of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were no less violent, where eight people, including a driver of a private TV station’s vehicle, were killed and St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mardan Cantt burnt down during demonstrations.
More than 50 others were left slightly or seriously injured. The deaths were caused when police opened fire to stop unruly protesters from violence.
Earlier, several hundred protesters in Peshawar set ablaze two cinemas and the city’s chamber of commerce and damaged several buildings, shops and vehicles.
Later in the day, tens of thousands of protesters converged at one of the city’s neighborhoods and called for the execution of the hate film’s producer.
Lahore
Though no casualties were reported in Lahore, the protests were no less intense.
Massive crowds of people gathered at Circular Road, The Mall and other major roads and burnt tyres, chanted anti-US slogans and demanded hanging of the film’s producer.
Protesters on The Mall and Garhi Shahu pelted stones at police.
Some demonstrators were arrested while trying to scale the wall of US Consulate.
Major demonstrations were also held in Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Jhelum and many other cities across Punjab.
Islamabad
Protests across the federal capital also turned violent in several areas as crowds tried to march on and police attempted to thwart their progress. Police fired tear gas and warning shots to keep demonstrators away from the US embassy and the Diplomatic Enclave. At least 55 people, including nine policemen, were injured in various clashes.
Though the protests intensified after Friday prayers, groups of people had started ransacking various establishments much earlier. A toll plaza near Railways Carriage factory in Islamabad was ransacked and set on fire. Clashes were witnessed at Faizabad, where an enraged crowd looted and then burnt down a CNG filling station. Protestors also pelted stones at the Tarnol police station and set a taxi on fire.
Absolutely disgusting and shameful. is this the way to show love?
The world is watching Islam at work… the religion of peace? I don't think so.
Its just hooliganism…the protests have very little to do with Islam! There are a billion muslims and about 50 countries but except for Libya(where an organized milita killed the americans) pakistan is the only country where deadly took place!
The PM should be held accountable for failing to implement a peaceful protest day
why don't you shut up….why you can't condemn these mullahs and their voilent outfits who were responsible for this voilence…did the PM ordered looting of shops and atms…why you don't want people responsible to nabbed like Pervez elahi did in Lahore when these same forces set Mall on fire.
The more i think about all the Muslim demonstrations around the world over a stupid little movie made by an Egyptian on American soil, the more bewildered I am. When 3,000 people are killed at the hands of Muslims, there are no demonstrations (as in 9/11). When thousands of muslims are killed by roadside or suicide bombings in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq or some other middle eastern country, by other Muslim fanatics, there are no demonstrations. But over a silly cartoon, shallow movie or a respected author's book, then it seems the whole Muslim world rises up. There is something very wrong with this picture. It leaves non-muslim perplexed at the value system of Islam. A life is not worth protesting about but silly thoughts are.
OBL did not have the resoures to effect 9/11.The real culprits are still at large in the US. Read Robert Fisk and read the report of The Watson Institute of International affairs, Stanford or some other university. I am sorry i don't remmember right but I'll reply again. Pakisanis lives are also worthy, read below:
MIRANSHAH: At least three persons were killed when a suspected US drone fired missiles in North Waziristan Saturday morning (today).
One life taken is killing the entire humanity. 3,000 people were not killed by Muslims but by jews who planned and effected 9/11 to force the US to attack Afghanistan and topple the Taliban regime. As a human being, i request you please update your info and don't rely on the biased news (in fact lies) being aired to defame muslms Regards.
ATTN: All commentators, readers, editor PT, admin PT, column writers, Mrs.Nazia, Zeta, Sheree, PT reporters Tariq Habib / Shamim Shahid / Rana Haider and those of The News, Dawn, and other's:
1. Absolutely, this is the only way to show love when roads leading to the consulate and other foreign properties are blocked by placing containers to save the lives and property of the protectors of Terry Jones, Sam Bacile Steve Klein . The world is watching Islam at work at its best and will see more if Terry Jones, Sam Bacile Steve Klein are not decapitated within 24 hours.
2. Twenty three people dead. More than 150 injured. A church, several police and private vehicles and cinema houses torched. Banks and shops looted and vandalized. Infrastructure worth millions of rupees damaged. Reason: No action has beeen taken by the Blackhouse against the culprits. Required action is, i repeat, decapitate within 24 hours, Terry Jones, Sam Bacile Steve Klein.
3. Yes, all in the name of a religion that preaches peace and tolerance and shuns violence, because peaceful, non-violent ways have tried before and did not work, leaving the only option of violent reaction for Pakistanis to observe "Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (SAW)". In Islam, the punishment for intenional and planned blasphemy (Rimsa Masih is an exception and she is totally innocent) against any prophet (from Hazrat Adam alaihsalaam to Hazrat Muhammad sallahoalaihwasallam), is death sentence, by decaptation, hanging, poison injection, electric chair, etc. Those who speak against the blasphemy law should repent and recite the KalimaTaiyyaba again.
4. At the time of "Fath-e-Meccah" everybody was forgiven by the Prophet (sallahoalaihwasallam), but the order was issued that those involved in blasphemy should be found and excecuted even if found clutching th Ghilaaf-e-Kaaba. I am not aalim or scholar of Islam, so please contact your Ulema on this matter. Speeches of late Dr.Asrar Ahmed and late Ahmed Deedat of India (Shoud Rusdie die or be executed?) are aired on Peace TV of Dr. Zakir Naik of India. Contact him for the details because i cannot post tem here. This a matter is far more serious than we realise. Muslims, non-mulims, non-believers, all arerequestedto educate themselvesabout the issue. More than a matter of life and death, this is a matter of imaan (faith) and kufr (aethiesm) for not oly muslms but also chtistians, jews and other believers.
Continuation of above:
5. I am a suuni but i fully support the fatwa of late Imam Khomeini (and his courage to single-handedly face the entire world of kufr) to kill Salman Rusdie. People like Mr.Ayaz Amir (The News) and Mr.Bilal Zaidi (column writer for Pakistan Today) and others who have excellent writng skills, should discuss with the Ulema (Sunni, Shia, Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e-Hadith, any other) and think over it. The Sunni, Shia, Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahl-e-Hadith (any othe) Ulema will insha-Allah agree with me on the issue. Even the christian scholars have demanded respect of the prophets. India's Sikh PM Mamohan Singh has also condemed blasphemy and has protested to the US government. It is a shame for us muslims that we remain silent while non-muslims protest on our behalf. I want ot say more but time is running out.
6. Jamaat-e-Islami, Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Jamaatud Dawa, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, Sunni Tehreek and various student organizations took out rallies after Friday prayers and headed towards the US consulate. Please stay united on all issues and if Terry Jones, Sam Bacile and Steve Klein are not decapitated within 24 hours, bulldoze the US consulate. Continued below ………..
Continuation of above:
7. The title should be changed to "Nothing but love" because it is misleading and biased.
8. MIRANSHAH: At least three persons were killed when a suspected US drone fired missiles in North Waziristan Saturday morning (today), Geo News reported. Now the US is avenging its self-provoked demonstrations. So far, I have used decent language, but I can comment on the US motives in the language they use and understand. They think that Pakistanis are fools who can be treated as the US wishes. Sorry, Mr. Obama, you are wrong again, as usual, you will soon regret (in this life and in the hereafter) for the damage caused to the world by you and those with you at the Blackhouse. I wish to see someone like Bush Senior at the top of the US government. Obama must not with next elections. If he does win, blame youselves for a ad decision. Bill Clinton a George Bush had the courage and manners to apologise on personal and global issues. Obama, Hillary and Panetta, instead of apologising, are threatening to deploy forces in many muslim countries (their forces are already in half-a-dozen muslim countries). They are digging the graves of their men themselves. May Allah guide them. Ameen.
If any of all these countries including Pakistan were a Muslim Country & not a country of Muslims, the Govt would have officially protested in many ways to include a simultaneous lowering of country's flag at half mast and encouraging all Govt & Public officials to wear an armband in appropriate color in the country and at overseas posts and missions, encouraged the literate true and legitimate scholars to address the nation on national media describing how to protest such events in a civic and socially friendly manner.
All the hoopla and hooliganism is by the Politicians and political parties who seek exposure specially due to upcoming elections while we do not need Politicians and rather need Civic leaders with civility.
My 2 cents worth at the sad state of our countries so-called Muslim countries where so many accidental Muslims reside who inherited Islam by birth in homes of Muslims and did not strive to gain the real knowledge of deen.
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