Day of martyrs, oppressed observed

Rawalpindi : Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqh-e-Jafariya (TNFJ) observed the “Day of Martyrs and the Oppressed” nationwide with a spirit of national solidarity to pay tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs of religion and the nation, says a press release.

This was in commemoration of Shaheed-e-Maidan Safdar Ali Naqvi and Shaheed-e-Zindan Ashraf Ali Rizvi, who embraced martyrdom during the struggle for Azadari (mourning rituals) and other Shia demands. Solidarity was also expressed with the oppressed people of Parachinar (Kurram Agency).

On this occasion, after Friday prayers, protest gatherings were held in central mosques, where religious scholars condemned the deteriorating and extremely dire situation in Parachinar. They expressed deep concern over the large number of innocent civilians being martyred and the continued loss of lives due to the lack of essential food and medicine during the severe winter. This situation was termed a failure of both the provincial and federal governments.

In Rawalpindi, the TNFJ Regional Council organized a protest rally titled “Azmat-e-Shuhada” from Liaquat Bagh Chowk to Committee Chowk on Murree Road. The rally was led by TNFJ Pakistan’s Vice President Bawa Syed Farzand Ali Shah Kazmi, Secretary General Allama Raja Basharat Hussain Imami, Regional President Allama Shabihul Hassanain Kazmi, General Secretary Shaukat Abbas Jafri, religious scholars, political and social figures, and mourning procession leaders. Thousands of protesters marched on Murree Road, passing through Committee Chowk to the shrine of Sakhi Shah De Tahlian.