PESHAWAR: Activists of different political and religious parties, traders, civil society organisations and journalists held rallies against the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in Sweden and demanded of the federal government to sever diplomatic ties with the Swedish government as the nation observed the ‘Quran Sanctity Day’ on Friday on the call of Prime Minister Shebhaz Sharif.

In Peshawar, a protest rally was organised by Jamaat-i-Islami at the Hashnagri Chowk led by the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa general secretary Abdul Wasi, Peshawar district chief Bahrullah Khan Advocate and general secretary Hidayatullah Khan.

The protesters carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans for protecting the sanctity of Holy Quran and against the Swedish government.

Another protest was held by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers outside the Peshawar Press Club.

People pour onto streets after Friday prayers to demand govt sever ties with Sweden

Journalists under the aegis of Khyber Union of Journalists also held a demonstration outside the press club and shouted slogans against the Swedish government.

Activists of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl also held a demonstration on the Ring Road and shouted slogans against the Swedish government.

A number of senior leaders of the party, including Asif Iqbal Daudzai, Maulana Amanullah Haqqani, Haji Danishmand, Maulana Fazal Ali, Mufti Obaidullah and others led the rally.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali and provincial ministers also participated in the rally.

Business community also held a rally at the Chowk Yadgar led by Malik Meher Ilahi, special assistant to the caretaker chief minister.

Transporters, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz workers and employees of Peshawar Development Authority also held separate rallies in that regard.

In Mansehra, people from different walks of life on Friday took out rallies in Hazara division to condemn the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

Rallies taken out from different parts of the city and its suburbs assembled at the Khatm-i-Nubowat Chowk after marching through different roads.

Holding banners and placards the protesters raised slogans against the Swedish government and demanded exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the desecration.

Rallies to condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran were also taken out in Kohistan, Torghar, Oghi, Balakot and other parts of the division.

In Shangla, rallies were held across the district against the desecration of the Holy Quran.

PTI, PML-N, JI, and JUI-F arranged the rallies in Bisham, Karora, Alpuri, Puran, Chakesar, while recording their protest against the desecration of sacred book.

In Bajaur, several protest rallies were held across the district attended by people from different walks of life in large numbers arranged by different political and religious parties and traders’ associations.

In Mohmand, a protest rally was taken out in Ghalanai, the district headquarters, by the staff of the district and sessions court against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

The local chapter of All Pakistan Clerks Association also took out a rally.

In Battagram, people held a demonstration at Khatmi Nabuwat Chowk to condemn the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

In Charsadda, rallies were organised in different areas after Friday prayers to condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran.

The demonstrations were organised at the Farooq Azam Chowk, Tangi, Dhaki Bazaar, Behlula Bazaar, Utmanzai, Tarangzai, Umarzai and Sar Dheri. The participants were drawn from a cross-section of the society, including workers of JUI-F, JI, PML-N, ANP, PPP and other parties.

In Mardan, members of city council and workers of different political and religious parties held demonstrations in different parts to condemn the incident of burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

In Lower Dir, Jamaat workers held a protest demonstration in Timergara to condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran.

The protesters blocked the Timergara-Chitral Road for some time and chanted slogans against the Swedish government.

Rallies were also taken out in different areas of Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts against the desecration of the sacred book of Muslims.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2023