Demolition of shops abutting the Syed Shah Wali Qadri dargah on Wednesday led to tension in One Town area in the city. The officials demolished the shops in a midnight operation leading to protests by Muslims in the area. The shops were demolished as part of road widening works.
Religious leaders and Muslims gathered at Jumma Masjid near K. R. Market and offered special prayers at the Masjid and Syed Shal Musafir Buqari dargah seeking divine blessings in prevention of further loss and demolition of religious structures.
Addressing a press conference, Ahl-e-Sunnat Jamat convener Mufti Moulana Abdul Qadri Razvi, co- convener Altaf Raza and others said that the government hurt the sentiments of Muslims by demolishing the shops. An agitation would be launched demanding that the government restore the demolished structures, they said.
Referring to the flyover, they alleged that the government made changes in designs of flyover only to protect properties of a few politicians. As per the designs, the flyover would pass over the top of dargah. It was not acceptable, they said.
