:dateline:Due to growing cases of sacrilege�in Pakistan, a large number of Sikhs stormed Pakistan’s Parliament complex yesterday. �Sikhs from all over the country joined the protest to seek intervention by the Government to stop desecration�of Guru Granth Sahib ji’s volumes.
Sikhs entered the Red Zone along with the workers of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) of Imran Khan. �Since last year’s elections, the PTI has continued to protest here for alleged rigging of votes.
After setting foot in the high security area of the Capital, the Sikhs reached the gate of the Parliament building and held a brief sit-in, before breaking into the sprawling complex. �The police were taken by surprise as the Sikhs demonstrated banners and raised slogans inside Parliament.
Protesters were demanding a law similar to the one for blasphemy, which prescribes stringent punishments for insulting Quran. �Sikh protesters claimed that their religious sanctity had been violated as many as seven times during the last few years. The most recent incident of the desecration of Guru Grant Sahib took�place in Mirpur Mathelo (Sindh).
It is notable that around 20,000 Sikhs are living in Pakistan.
A seven-member team Parliament Members, led by Zafar Ali Shah of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, including three minority lawmakers, held talks with the protesters and convinced them to vacate�the premises.
“They have listened to us and they have dispersed peacefully; and we are thankful to them,” Shah told media after the incident.
The government also set up a 13-member committee to address their grievances.
It was for the first time that protesters entered Parliament. National Assembly Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed took notice of the incident and summoned Inspector General of Police, Islamabad.
