Thousands of protesters march towards Afghan border against resumption of NATO routes

Condemning the government’s decision to resume NATO supply-line into Afghanistan, thousands of charged activists marched towards the Afghan border.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), a leading right-winger party and active member of the Difa-e-Pakistan Counsel (DPC) organized the march, demanding blockage of supply line into Afghanistan.

JI chief Syed Munawwarul Hasan while addressing the rally said that the United States was an enemy of Pakistan.

The religious leader observed, “US burns copies of the Holy Quran, makes caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Therefore, we feel that people should support the Jamaat-e-Islami in the upcoming elections and other related activities”.

He was of the opinion that the people’s support will help the party get elected in the upcoming elections and more than that, rousing a revolution in the country. In his view, the nation wants behavioral revolution, a revolution of priorities and thinking that won’t let the US become an obstacle in the way of this upheaval.

The leaders of the party had claimed that 50, 000 will join the protective-march from Peshawar to Jamrud, the town bordering with Afghanistan. However, only 8, 000 people reportedly gathered in Peshawar and half of the crowd slipped away as they spent the night in a park

The protestors carried out banners which read, “Yes to Peace, No to Nato” and “No more Nato, no more killings of Muslims”.

It is vital to mention here that Islamabad announced on July 4 that it had decided to reopen overland routes to NATO containers crossing into Afghanistan, after the United States said sorry over the air strikes that killed 24 soldiers at the Salala check-post.

Although a few trucks parked at borers have crossed into Afghanistan, the owners of the containers are waiting for an official deal.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the local militant outfit, has threatened to attack the containers and their drivers if the supply resumed to allied forces.

A protestor while speaking to the media said that the rulers have sold their blood for the US dollars but they will continue to protest against it.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=29020

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jul 17 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.