Cases registered against Islamabad dharna leaders

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of supporters of Mumtaz Qadri continue to stage a sit-in at D-Chowk of the federal capital for the third consecutive day on Tuesday.

Sources told Geo News that police have registered cases in different police stations of the city against leaders of religious parties leading the protest.

The sources said the cases against Sarwat Ijaz Qadri, Khadim Hussain, Afzal Qadri and Dr Ashraf have been lodged on counts of arson, hate speeches and violation of loud speaker act.

The protesters had refused to disperse until a high level government officials talks to them.  The government formed a committee to hold talks with the protesters. The committee includes Raja Zafar ul Haq, Ayaz Sadiq and Zaeem Qadri. If the negotiations are unsuccessful the government will take a final decision over the protesters today.

According to a charter of demand circulating on social media, the Sunni Tehreek and other religious outfits have called for implementation of Sharia and release of prisoners. The protesters also demanded the government to declare Mumtaz Qadri as martyr and hang Asia Bibi, an accused of blasphemy.   

On Sunday night, the government called in the army to secure the Red Zone after the protesters clashed with police and Rangers and set fire to containers and barricades in a bid to reach D-Chowk opposed the Parliament House.

Police fired tear gas at the protesters, who had gathered about 700 meters from the parliament building in Islamabad, footage on Geo TV showed.

More than 60 people, the majority of them police officers, were injured in the clashes on Sunday, hospital officials, told Reuters.

"They are all minor injuries, like being hit by stones," said Dr Aisha Issani, spokesperson for the PIMS hospital in Islamabad.

By mid-evening on Sunday, the military was called in to secure the situation. "Army has been requisitioned by the Govt to control situation and secure Red Zone," military spokesman Gen. Asim Bajwa tweeted on his official account, referring to the area around the parliament.