Security beefed up in Pakistan as religious parties call protest

Security was beefed up across Pakistan on Friday as religious groups called for protests against the sectarian violence in eastern Rawalpindi city last week. According to administrative officials, all schools, shops and restaurants were closed in Rawalpindi and capital city Islamabad while roads were deserted in both cities. Thousands of police and paramilitary troops were deployed in all major cities to maintain law and order with the army on call in case of any violence. A senior police official from capital police told KUNA that security measures have been taken for the protection of imambargahs (worship place for Shia sect), mosques and all sensitive areas. He further told that shipping containers were used to block main routes in Islamabad and Rawalpindi while the approaches to the diplomatic enclave, which houses foreign embassies, were sealed. Different religious parties including Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat (ASWJ) called for the protest that was later supported by Wafaqul Madaris, which runs seminaries along with other religious groups including the Pakistan Ulema Council. The religious political parties including Difae Pakistan Council, Jamaat e Islami (JI) and traders bodies have announced their support to a "peaceful protest" as well. Earlier last Friday, the clashes erupted in Raja Bazar area of Rawalpindi city as an Ashura (the day of martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA)) procession in the main downtown area coincided with a sermon in a nearby mosque. The clash triggered a stampede in the procession that caused more casualties. A police officer, Afzal Hussain told that participants of a procession beat to death three men belonging to a seminary, for allegedly insulting them as their procession passed the seminary killing at least eleven people and wounding over 68 others. The Pakistan Army and paramilitary Rangers were called in to control the situation and a curfew was imposed for three days. The Regional Police Officer (RPO) Rawalpindi, Umer Hayat said that no one would be allowed to organize rallies except the gathering for Friday prayers. He further told that no rallies are allowed in the city and he has not been informed about any rally being organized.