RAWALPINDI: Shopowners in Rawalpindi shut down major markets of the city to hold protest on the Murree road against the publishing of the blasphemous sketches in France and its support by President Emmanuel Macron.

The rally started from the Fawara Chowk, from where the protestors proceeded to Committee Chowk and then to Teeli Mohalla. Holding banners and placards in their hands, the participants condemned the blasphemous caricatures. The rally was jointly organized by the Anjuman Tajiran Raza Bazaar, Anjuman Tajiran Commercial Market, Pharmaceutical Trade Association, Anjuman Tajiran Moti Bazaar, and Sarafa and Jewellers Association.

Stores and plazas were shut down the city, traders from Raja Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, Kallan Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Dalda Sarai, Trunk Bazaar, and Liaquat Road marched along with residents of the city.

The protestors focused on the matter that it is unethical to use freedom of speech to target a particular religious group every now and then. This act of insult through the blasphemous sketches will not be tolerated.

Another demand by them was to hold a meeting of all the Islamic states, and the matter should be discussed in the United Nations on an emergency basis.

The crux of the rally was that the Muslim world should boycott French products and legislation should be introduced at the international level to stop such incidents in future.