Hate literature, militant videos up for sale again outside Lal Masjid in Lahore

Lahore, Apr.16 (ANI): Days after the release of Maulana Aziz, the sale of hate literature and militant videos have once again started near Lal Masjid.

The publication and distribution of hate literature and militant videos has been banned by the government, but such materials propagating 'jihad' have once again surfaced, and are being openly sold out side the Lal Masjid, the Dawn reports.

Videos available in the market contain shots of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and show rebels attacking the US led allied forces to provoke others to join in the fight.

Local people said that following Aziz's return, all the activities which were banned would be restored in the area.

"Now that Maulana Aziz has been restored, all activities will return," a local video seller said.

Lal Masjid was run by Islamic militants led by brothers, Maulana Abdul Aziz and Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who continued to challenge the government for more than six months. They carried out violent demonstrations, hateful speeches, destruction of private and public property, kidnapping, arson and armed clashes with the authorities.

The masjid complex was besieged from July 3, 2007 to July 11, 2007, after negotiations between the government and the militants failed.

The complex was stormed by the Pakistani Army and members of the Special Service Group and re-taken. The overall conflict resulted in death of 154 people, and 50 militants including Aziz were captured alive.(ANI)