The supporters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and All Pakistan Islamic Students Federation (APISF) almost came to blows on Friday when APISF supporters started chanting sectarian slogans at a rally held to condemn the publication of blasphemous caricatures in various Western newspapers. The PML-N top leaders arranged a protest rally at Aabpara Chowk where hundreds of APISF supporters joined them PML-N leader Syed Zafar Ali Shah raised slogans that upset the APISF protesters. The APISF responded with sectarian slogans and demanded action against Zafar Ali Shah. The PML-N bigwigs intervened and asked both parties to remain calm. Later, the PML-N supporters and leaders dispersed peacefully. A heavy contingent of police, which was deployed there to avoid any untoward incident, remained unmoved during the verbal clash.
PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul-Haq condemned the despicable caricatures and said freedom of press did not mean the freedom to offend religious sensibilities. He slammed the government for not withdrawing Pakistani diplomats from the countries where the offensive caricatures were first published. He declared diplomats from Denmark, Germany, Spain, France and Italy in Islamabad “persona non grata”.