ISLAMABAD Sept 8 (TNS): Religious organisations, political parties, students and members of the civil society will hold a demonstration in Aabpara today to protest the persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
The capital’s administration has blocked all entry routes into the Red Zone to avert any potential move by the rally’s participants to enter the Red Zone, which houses the Diplomatic Enclave as well.
Sources said the Islamabad Police have deployed around 7,500 personnel to secure the rally, which include officials of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary. The main procession will be taken out by the Jamaat-e-Islami, whose chief Sirajul Haq is expected to lead the rally.
Islamabad Traffic Police have issued a route plan to ensure that commuters of the twin cities are not disturbed as a result of the protest.
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, in a statement, urged protesters to remain peaceful, saying the sanctity of the Red Zone should be respected.
“Pakistan’s standing in the world will be hurt in case of any incident of violence in the Red Zone,” said Iqbal, adding that it is Pakistan’s national duty to safeguard diplomatic missions.
The Pakistan Awami Tehreek also plans to hold a rally over the issue in Lahore around 3pm today. The party will protest in front of the Lahore Press Club.
Nearly 150,000 Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh since August 25, when insurgents of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army launched attacks on security forces in Rakhine State — where they reside.
The number of those killed is unclear, but in some estimates has crossed 1,000 people.
Myanmar does not recognise the 1.1 million Rohingya as citizens, labeling them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.
On Thursday, the federal cabinet, which met in Islamabad with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the chair, passed a resolution condemning the persecution of Rohingya Muslims under the direct patronage of state institutions of Myanmar.
