Karachi: Thousands rally against US anti-Islam film

KARACHI: Thousands of people thronged the streets of the biggest city of Karachi on Saturday in the latest protest against a US-made anti-Islam film posted on the internet and the sacrilegious caricatures published in a French magazine Saturday, Geo News reported.
The protesters wore green and white headbands as they marched through the city's main MA Jinnah road while some trampled on the American flag.
People from different areas carrying green flags gathered at Numaish intersection to become part of the rally from where they marched towards the Tibet Centre under the leadership of Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman.
The religious parties participating in the rally included Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP), Jamaat -e- Ahle Sunnat, Pakistan Sunni Tahrik (PST), Sunni Ittehad Council, Sunni Rehbar Council, ANI and other Sunni organizations.
They chanted slogans including "Hang the American film maker" and "We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the honour of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)"."We strongly condemn this anti-Islam movie, it is a criminal act," Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, a prominent religious leader told the rally, and called for a global ban on insulting "all prophets and messengers".
A senior police officer in Karachi, said there were "at least 15,000" protesters while rally organisers claimed "millions of people" participated.
Police beefed up security before the rally, while paramilitary forces were also deployed.
The crudely-made "Innocence of Muslims" movie has sparked angry and at times violent demonstrations across the globe.
Pakistan experienced the worst of the violence last Friday when nationwide rallies mobilised more than 45,000.
At least 21 people were killed and 229 wounded, mainly in clashes with police.
Pakistan Sunni Tahrik (PST) Saturday morning said that the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ebad had allowed taking out peaceful rally in a telephonic conversation with the PST chief Sarwar Ejaz Qadri.
It may be recalled that earlier Sindh government has banned all sorts of rallies in the city and has imposed Section 144 for three days, while PST vowed that come what may, they would take out a peaceful rally in the city on Saturday.
PST chief had appealed to the public to fully participate in the rally being taken out on MA Jinnah Road in protest against the anti-Islam film.