(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Angry protesters took to the streets of Karachi and many other cities across the country on Monday to protest against the deadly double suicide attack at a church in Peshawar over the weekend that killed 81 people and injured more than 100.
Christians demonstrated in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar to protest against the violence and demand the authorities do more to protect them.
Dozens of small protests were held across the metropolis of Karachi, mainly in the Christian-dominated neighbourhoods, after several such protests late at night on Sunday, bringing traffic to a halt in many areas and creating troubles for the commuters. Angry protesters shouted slogans against the terrorists and the authorities for their failure to act, burnt tyres and blocked roads, while in some areas pelted stones on passing vehicles.
In some areas, police had to resort to light baton charge and tear gas shelling to disperse the protesters. Similar protests were also held in most cities of the country, while leaders of the Christian community called for calm among the protesters.
Among the worst-hit areas in Karachi were North Nazimabad, Essa Nagri, Korangi and even Shahra-e-Faisal and I. I. Chundrigar Road, and traffic had to be diverted to alternative routes due to the trouble created by the protesters.
The protesters were demanding of the government to take strict action against the culprits and also to compensate the victims, while also urging the authorities to ensure stringent security measures, particularly for the minorities, to avoid any such incidents in the future.
"The terrorists have no religion. They are neither Muslims nor Christians. They are just not human and want to destabilise Pakistan further," said Noel Sardar, a protester in North Nazimabad carrying stick in his hand. "We don't want to be violent, but you should realise that emotions do run high after such a big tragedy," he said.
Several small processions, attended by dozens of people from the Christian community, could be seen in different parts of the city throughout the day, while candle light vigils were also held under the umbrella of the civil society as well as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
The Sindh government as well as the MQM, the city's biggest party, had already called for a three-day mourning and the national flag was lowered at the Sindh Assembly and other government buildings as a sign of mourning.
The Sindh Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution condemning the Peshawar attack and speakers from various political parties expressed solidarity with the victims and the Christian community and urged for steps to curb violence.
More than 600 protesters blocked a major highway in Islamabad for several hours during the Monday morning rush hour, burning tyres and causing long tailbacks, an AFP photographer said.
In Peshawar, around 200 demonstrators took to the streets, smashing windows at the main Lady Reading hospital, where many of the victims were treated, and blocking the main Grand Trunk road.
In front of All Saints church, more than 100 people gathered to chant slogans demanding justice and attacking the national government for failing to protect Christians.
A faction linked to the Taleban on Sunday claimed the attack, saying it was to avenge US drone strikes in the country's tribal areas along the Afghan border. But on Monday the main spokesman for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist group said they were not responsible. "We haven't done this nor do we attack innocent people," Shahidullah Shahid, the main TTP spokesman told AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location. "Whenever we carry out an attack we claim it, but the Taleban are not involved in this attack. It was an attempt to sabotage the atmosphere of the proposed peace talks."
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