Protests Rock Pakistan

Politicians, Citizens Slam US strikes

Updated on 10/9/2001 10:43:41 AM



F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Protests demonstrations were held in key towns across Pakistan on Monday

against the Sunday night's attacks in Afghanistan.

Noted politicians and political parties reflected public anger when they issued fiery statements against military action by the international coalition led by the United States.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamuat-e-Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl-ur-Rehman) along with other religious groups took out procession in several major and minor towns, where firebrand speakers delivered spitted wrath against the US.

In Peshawar, demonstrators strongly condemned the attacks and warned it would launch long march to Islamabad if government not distance itself from supporting the United States.

"The Jamaat would start a series of protest demonstrations long-march towards Islamabad and Peshawar International Airport if the government did not discourage US from launching such barbarian air strikes through Pakistan's land," JI leaders added.

The enraged activists expressed their anger over the government decision for allowing America launching attacks against training camps and hunt down Osama bin Laden.

Addressing to a big rally near Landi Kotal, Pirzada Mohammad Noorul Haq, the chief of Jamiat-e-Ahle Sunaat, termed the US military strikes in Afghanistan as an attack on Islam, and declared Jihad against US and its allies.

Addressing to a big rally near here he termed the missile attacks in the darkness of the night as a cowardly act and display of moral depravity.

It is the duty of every Muslim to support their brothers in this critical hour, he added.

We will support the Taliban against the aggression of America, he concluded.

In Karachi, Naib Amir Jamat-e-Islami, Paksitan Prof.Ghafoor Ahmed criticised the double standard of developed world who has termed the attack on US as an attack on civilised world, Christianity and democracy, while Afghanistan is being attacked without any proof and it has been described as war against terrorism.

Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrike Insaf condemned the attacks, claiming innocent Afghans would be the worst sufferers.

PTI termed the action as "superpower terrorism".

National Awami Party Pakistan (NAPP) chief Ajmal Khattak addressing an emergency meeting of party central office bearers said US had opened doors of disaster and dangers after the attacks.

"UN and OIC should help organize Loya Jirga in Afghanistan keeping the will of Afghans in view," he said.

In Rawalpindi, Jamaat-e-Islami protesters marched from Moti Mosque to Fawwara Chowk and chanted anti US slogans.

Protestors burnt effigies of President Bush and flag of America, and termed the attacks as cowardly acts of America.

They said the US wanted to capture sabotage Pakistan's national interests.

They demanded of President Pervez Musharraf to protect Pakistan's nuclear installations, asked US-led international coalition to stop attacks on Afghanistan through Pakistan soil, airspace to save the region from atomic war.



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