How Pakistan Protested against the blasphemous film

Peaceful Protests

People throughout Pakistan protested in a decent way. They’d brought black and white flags with Kalmah Tayyaba written on it. They didn’t burn or damage anything. All they did was they stood with the flags in their hands and let the media record their protests, hoping to have their voice heard. Even the local political parties such as Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) and Mutteheda Qaumi Movement (MQM) protested peacefully. They protested the way everyone should’ve, a Shutter-down/Tyre-jam protest.

Violent Protests

As some people protested peacefully, some did not. These violent protestors set ablaze several cinemas, vehicles, shops, tyres, restaurants, banks etc. Over fifteen people died as protests turned violent. These people burned their own country’s resources. They’re Pakistani/Muslim brothers’ shops, restaurants and their offices. Many have lost their jobs and some have even lost their lives. This not only damaged the economy of the nation, but it also have damaged many family who cannot do anything but mourn for the loss of their loved ones and their jobs. My question to those protestors is “Are you avenged?

Day of Love for the Prophet

The government of Pakistan marked that day (Friday 21st September) as Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool “Day of Love for the Prophet” the day was declared as a National Holiday. Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain, said in an interview on a Pakistani News channel on that day “There shouldn’t be a specific day to show our love for the Prophet. All muslims of the world should celebrate this day everyday throughout the year, as we all love our Prophet.”

KFC closure rumor

On Friday 21st of September, a rumor was spread, it said that KFC is closing all its restaurants in Pakistan because of the protests. Some of their franchises were attacked amid violent protests.

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2012/09/21/news/companies/kfc-pakistan/?source=cnn_bin 

But, in an interview today (23rd September 2012) KFC Officials from Pakistan have denied the media report about the closure of all KFC franchises. Rafiq Rangoonwala, KFC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Pakistan, said in a statement “We are operating franchise business with a complete Pakistani investment”. He also told the media that three KFC restaurants (PIDC, Shahra-e-Faisal and North Nazimabad) were attacked on Friday during protest against the anti-Islam film while six to seven in other parts of the country were also damaged. He also said “We will open the restaurants on Saturday depending on law an order situation except those which were damaged,” KFC has more than 60 restaurants in 21 cities of Pakistan.

Youtube banned in Pakistan

Government of Pakistan has also banned Youtube after it refused to block the blasphemous movie, as ordered by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Raja Pervez Ashraf. Supreme Court, Islamabad, Youtube management rejected the request from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) to remove blasphemous video clips about the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Youtube management said that they don’t have such an agreement with the government of Pakistan. Officials say that about a 100 clips of the blasphemous movie were uploaded on Youtube everyday.

Government’s role in trying to avoid mishaps

The government of Pakistan blocked all cellular services to avoid mishaps, which didn’t quite work out. Government deployed army when protestors were heading towards the U.S Embassy in Islamabad. The government took security measures to prevent the nation but they weren’t sufficient enough. People’s belongings were damaged, lives were lost, even policemen got hurt trying to stop the protestors from burning things.

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