On the call of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Syed Munawar Hasan, rallies and demonstrations denouncing the increasing US interference in the country, the killing of Osama Bin Laden and the ‘spinelessness’ of the Pakistani rulers were organised on Friday in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Abbotabad, Peshawar, Multan, Karachi, Quetta, Kharan, Naoshki, Turbat, Lasbela, Ziarat and Harnai. Addressing a congregation at Mansoora, Hasan warned the US and its ‘allies’ that the war against Islam and the Muslims would increase hatred and more of Osama’s would be born. He said the US had made false claims of having killed Osama in the past. He said that with the death of Osama, many more Osamas would emerge.
He said that the Pakistani rulers’ ‘slavish’ mentality had lowered the country’s prestige and they held Washington’s orders more important than ‘divine injunctions’. He said the statement issued by the Corps Commander Conference to review the Pak-US ties was not enough and the military leadership should ponder over its lapses. Hasan said the nation was facing the present situation because of the pro-US policies of the rulers. He believed that Pakistan’s geographical borders, cities and houses were not safe from US ‘aggression’. He said ‘everybody’ was protesting against the US’ ‘highhandedness’ and the Abbotabad operation had also given room to India for blemishing Pakistan’s collar.
He questioned the use of having a large army if it could not defend against the enemy. He said that the people had been kept under the impression that the US was helping Pakistan for economic progress and social uplift. JI Deputy Secretary General Dr Farid Ahmed Piracha and others addressed the demonstration at Multan Road outside Mansoora. The protestors carried placards denouncing US’ policies and interference in the country. They also raised slogans condemning the ‘US’ terrorism’.
Dr Piracha said the ‘Muslim masses’ would not tolerate the ‘US’ aggression’ and Pakistanis knew how to defend their independence. The rally at Rawalpindi was held outside the Rawalpindi Press Club and was addressed by the JI District Chief Sajjad Ahmed Abbasi among others. The Peshawar rally began from the Masjid Mahabat Khan and was led by the JI Provincial Secretary Shabbir Ahmed Khan. Senior JI leader Prof Ghafoor Ahmed and Muhammad Husain Mehnati who also addressed the gathering led the Karachi rally.
