Mammoth rallies across Punjab

LAHORE Religious and religio-political parties held demonstrations and rallies outside mosques after Friday prayers across the country including the City to protest against the growing US interference, drone attacks, Abbotabad operation and the resultant killing of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. During Jumma prayers, khatibs termed the war on terror as assault against Islam and Muslims and warned the US that the menace could not be eradicated without eliminating the root causes. They also stressed upon the rulers in Islamic countries to unite on one platform and fail the nefarious designs of the enemy. After the prayers, peaceful demonstrations were held outside mosques. The speakers condemned growing US interference, Abbotabad operation and drone attacks. They also condemned the rulers for keeping silent over the direct attack on the sovereignty of Pakistan. The participants were carrying placards and banners inscribed with writings against the US, Pakistani rulers and in the favour of slain Al-Qaeda Chief bin Laden. Highly charged participants also chanted slogans against the US and favour of Osama bin Laden. Addressing a Juma congregation at Mansoora mosque, ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hasan warned Washington and her allies that terrorism would not come to an end through a war against Islam and the Muslims. On the other hand, this war would further increase hatred against them, more Osamas would born and the US tyranny, oppression and bias would spread the flames of war to other areas as well. Syed Munawar Hasan told the Mansoora gathering that even in the past, the US had made false claims of having killed Osama Bin Laden. He said every Muslim longed to be martyred in the way of Allah. Therefore, with the death of one Osama, many more would emerge. However, he said, that the Pakistani rulers slavish mentality and begging attitude had lowered the prestige of the country and the nation. Unfortunately, he said, the Muslim rulers did not attach as much importance to the divine injunctions as they did to the orders from Washington. He said the statement issued by the Corps Commander Conference to review the Pak-US ties in case of another such attack was not enough and the military leadership should ponder over its lapses and failings. He said the nation was facing the present situation because of the pro-US policies of the rulers who had taken the US as god. The result was that neither geographical borders nor cities and houses were safe from US aggression, and every body in the country was protesting against the US highhandedness. Hassan said the Abbotabad operation had also given a tongue to India who was also threatening to attack inside the country. He said the nation was rightfully questioning the military generals what was the use of having a large army if it could not defend them against the enemy. He said that till now, the people had been kept under the false impression that the US was helping the country for economic progress and social uplift. However, he said, the woes and problems of the masses remained unsolved and instead their life had been made miserable. Rallies were held in the City, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Abbotabad, Peshawar, Multan, Karachi, Quetta, Kharian, Naoshki, Turbat, Lasbela, Ziarat, Harnai and other places. The demonstration at Multan Road outside Mansoora, was addressed by JI deputy Secretary general Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha and other leaders. The protestors carried placards denouncing US policies and interference in the country. They also raised slogans condemning the US state terrorism. In his address, Dr Farid Piracha said that Washington should not remain under the impression that if the Muslim rulers were cowardly, the Muslim masses would tolerate the US aggression. The Pakistani people, he said, knew how to defend their independence and they would foil the nefarious designs of US and India. The rally at Rawalpindi was held outside the Rawalpindi Press Club and was addressed by the JI district chief Sajjad Ahmed Abbasi and others. The Peshawar rally began from the historic Masjid Mahabat Khan and was led by the JI provincial secretary Shabbir Ahmed Khan. The Karachi rally was led by senior JI leader Prof Ghafoor Ahmed and Muhammad Husain Mehnati who also addressed the gathering. Addressing Juma congregation at a Faisalabad mosque, ameer Jamat-ud-Dawa Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said that Osama Bin Laden played an important role in awakening and enlightenment of Muslims across the globe. He said that the rulers should realize that friendship of the US was more dangerous than her enmity. He said that the nation was suffering due to the rulers decision of becoming a strategic partner of the US after 9/11 in the so called war on terror. He urged the government to come out of the US alliance and take decisions keeping in view the public aspirations. Addressing a public gathering at Jamia Rizvia Model Town, Chairman Sunni Ittehad Council Sahibzada Fazle Karim said that the Abbotabad operation would prove more dangerous for Pakistan than 9/11. He said that the operation was open violation of international law and charter of the UN. He urged the UN to take notice of the direct US attack on the sovereignty of Pakistan. He said that the Abbottabad operation was aimed at putting Pakistan on the back foot. He urged the political forces to realize the gravity of the situation and take a joint stance to fail the designs of the enemy. US was tightening screws over Pakistan

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