Pak police book Qadri's 7,000 supporters for rioting

Image
Press Trust of India Karachi
Last Updated : Mar 03 2016 | 1:32 PM IST
Over 7,000 supporters of Mumtaz Qadri have been booked by the police for rioting in Pakistan's biggest city following the execution of the former police commando, hanged for killing Punjab's governor Salman Taseer over his opposition to the blasphemy laws.
Around 7,000 protesters had blocked the busy M A Jinnah Road, and used abusive language against state institutions during their rally here in the city after Qadri was hanged on Monday.
Dawn reported the FIR against the protesters was filed in the Soldier Bazaar police station on behalf of the state.
The protesters have been booked under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Loudspeakers Act, Soldier Bazaar SHO Irshad Soomro said.
Qadri, deputed on the security of Taseer, had killed the governor at a market close to the latter's house in 2011 in Islamabad for allegedly criticising the controversial blasphemy laws and was convicted the same year.
Taseer, who died aged 66, had termed the blasphemy regulations, introduced by Pakistan's military ruler Zia-ul-Haq in 1980s, as "black laws" drawing the ire of extremists.
Qadri was hanged on Monday morning at a Rawalpindi jail after his appeal against the conviction was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Around 50,000 supporters of Qadri, mostly from Sunni Tehreek group had attended his funeral in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, while thousands of people took out processions in favour of the murderer in other cities as well.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 03 2016 | 1:32 PM IST

Next Story