The biggest anti-Sweden protests took place in the eastern city of Lahore and in Karachi, the largest city in the Islamic South Asian country, where thousands of people gathered on major highways before dispersing peacefully.
In Islamabad, the capital, lawyers carrying copies of the Koran demonstrated in front of the Supreme Court, and worshipers in front of mosques demanded the severance of diplomatic relations with Sweden.
An act of denunciation of the Christian minority in the northwest of the country was also carried out.
Supporters of the Islamist group Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan held rallies in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and other cities.
Anger has spread in Muslim countries since last Wednesday, a man identified by the Swedish media as an Iraqi Christian burned a copy of the Koran outside a mosque in Stockholm during the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Muslim leaders in Sweden have deplored the incident. But in his televised speech to Parliament the day before, Sharif asked why the Swedish police had allowed the burning to take place.
On Friday, Sharif urged his compatriots in a Twitter message to send a strong message to Sweden at rallies and demonstrations.
“When it comes to the Quran, the nation is one,” he wrote on Twitter. “We will protest across the country under the title of Holy Quran Day and after Friday prayers.”
Imran Khan, who preceded Sharif in office, also called for the protest. But supporters of Khan, Sharif and the leaders of other parties are holding separate rallies across the country.
An Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan, has carried out violent acts to condemn the desecration of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
FUENTE: Associated Press
