Govt asked to avoid force against protesters

LAHORE: As the deadline to the protesters for ending their sit-in in Islamabad draws nearer, various religious parties and leaders Tuesday advised the government against using force to disperse the protesters and demanded that dialogue should be continued with them, arguing that their demands were completely justified.
The religious leaders warned the government the protests might spread across the country in case force was used against those staging a sit-in. They also advised the government to punish the real culprits to pacify the unrest of the protesters.
Addressing a meeting of Milli Yakjehti Council, (MYC), a platform of top religious parties from all schools of thought, Liaqat Baloch demanded removal of Zahid Hamid and Anusha Rehman from cabinet and making public the recommendations of inquiry report by Raja Zafarul Haq committee. He said the meeting demanded release of mission leaders like Nasir Sherazi, resignation of finance minister, release of Justice Baqar Najfi inquiry report. He said all the parties of the meeting demanded that TLYR demands were justified and in line with the national aspirations. He said the government must respect the sensitive religious emotions of the masses and keep them above its writ.
Majlis Ahrar-e-Islam leaders Maulana Qasim Baloch, Maulana Saeed Atif, Dr Ziaul Haq Qamar and Azhar Waince, Tanzeem Islami ameer Hafiz Akif Saeed, and JUP president Qari Zawwar Bahahur also spoke on the occasion.