As a precaution against violence, authorities closed all schools in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
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Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have turned out for the funeral of an executed former police officer who assassinated a governor in 2011.
Qadri had been assigned the duty of protecting the governor as a member of Punjab Elite Police; however, he killed Salman Taseer for his alleged involvement in committing blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Many social media pages, representing “Sunni” sect have been quite active over the issue and since yesterday they have been uploading pictures regarding funeral ceremony of Qadri, which was to be held today (Tuesday) 02:00pm at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. Later, his dead body was brought to Bhara Kahu amid tight security for burial in a nearby village.
“He lives! Qadri lives!” chanted supporters who surrounded the coffin and threw flowers. No Pakistani leader has ever succeeded in amending those laws amid fears of retributions from right-wing political and religious parties and extremist militant groups. Ahmad Nadeem wore a shirt reading: “I’m Mumtaz Qadri”. However, many Pakistanis, including some in the religious establishment and in legal circles, praised Qadri – a sign of the spread of Islamic fundamentalist thought in this South Asian nation.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same”, he said. Perceived affronts to Islam can ignite street protests and lynchings.
“The authorities have now executed more than 300 people in little more than 14 months – Pakistan must immediately impose a moratorium on executions with a view to the eventual repeal of the death penalty”.
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The government has also taken measures against extremism, introducing a ban on hate speech, abuse of mosques, as well as media blackout on militant groups. He had called for reforming the blasphemy law that is often used to settle personal scores.
