SIALKOT, Oct 3: On the appeal of the Markazi Anjuman Tajran, all shopping centres and markets remained closed on Sunday in the city and its adjoining areas to mourn the mosque blast victims.

District Nazim Mian Naeem Javaid told newsmen that the overall situation remained peaceful as no untoward incident was reported from any part of the city. DPO Nisar Ahmad Saroya said the police had made foolproof security arrangements on Sunday to maintain law and order in Sialkot with the help of para-military troops.

The police barricaded almost every city road and did not allow any type of traffic. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters on Sunday took out peaceful rallies in various parts of the city. The protesters carrying placards also chanted slogans against the government.

In one such rally, local Shia leaders including Allama Faiz Karpalvi, Maulana Gulfam Hussain Hashmi, Maulana Mumtaz Shah and Syed Saqlain Raza gave Oct 8 deadline to the district government for making public the findings of all inquiries and police investigations. Otherwise, they threatened to launch a country-wide movement against the government.

CASE REGISTERED: On the report of Allama Faiz Karpalvi, the prayer leader of the Jamia Zainabia Mosque, the Rangpura police have registered a case against the suicide bomber under sections 302, 384 PPC, 516 (Explosive Act) and 7-ATA. The case was registered by the police some 32 hours after the tragedy.

DNA TEST: Samples of the remains of the suspected suicide bomber have been sent to Lahore and Islamabad chemical laboratories for the DNA test. This was disclosed by DHQ Hospital AMS Dr Javaid Warraich while talking to newsmen here on Sunday. He said the autopsy of the suspected suicide bomber had already been held under the supervision of local senior doctors.

VISIT: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Sherpao will visit Sialkot on Oct 5 to console heirs of mosque blast victims. He will also address a press conference at the Civil Rest House besides reviewing the law and order situation in Sialkot while chairing a high-level meeting.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Defence Zahid Hamid visited Sialkot on Sunday and inquired after the health of the injured at the local CMH. He also condoled with the heirs of all the victims and expressed his grave concern over the mosque bomb explosion.

QUL: Qul of the Friday's mosque blast victims were held amid tight security at Markazi Imambargah Mistary Abdullah here on Sunday. More than 3,000 people belonging to various sects attended the qul ceremony under the cover of heavy police contingent and para-military forces.

Addressing the participants, the ulema urged the Shia community to bear this tragedy with fortitude and remain peaceful and cooperate with the administration in maintaining peace.