By IANS,
Islamabad : Lawyers in Pakistan have called for a nationwide strike on Monday to protest against a film that allegedly insults Prophet Mohammad.
The Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) will observe a “black day” Monday against the anti-Islam film, Geo News reported.
President Asif Ali Zardari had Saturday expressed concern over the violence that the film has triggered in many countries.
In a meeting in Islamabad, the bar council passed a resolution stating that the film was a “conspiracy to spread religious hatred” and condemned the failure of the US to take action against it.
Zardari Saturday told visiting US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman that rationality and tolerance was fast eroding, and stressed the need for collective action to stop inflaming religious sentiments of any community or people of any faith, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.
The movie has sparked anti-US demonstrations across the Muslim world.
In a related incident, the US has asked its citizens visiting Pakistan to “maintain extra vigilance” in the wake of violent protests in Muslim countries.
“US citizens are reminded of the potential danger posed by the presence of terrorist organisations in Pakistan,” Xinhua quoted a US embassy statement as saying.
“Threat reporting indicates these groups continue to seek opportunities to attack US government personnel, US citizens, and other Westerners, especially at locations where they are known to congregate,” it said.
The security alert posted on the US embassy website said American citizens abroad have been urged to avoid all protests and demonstrations, and to remember that even peaceful demonstrations can rapidly turn violent.
Paramilitary troops and anti-riot police Friday stopped demonstrators from marching towards the US embassy in Islamabad.
“There have not yet been similar protests in Pakistan. Historically, it is not uncommon for demonstrations and protests to occur after Friday prayers,” the statement said.
The embassy asked American citizens to maintain good situational awareness, avoid crowds and maintain a low profile.