Rallies and demonstrations against North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in Mohmand continued across the country, with people of Swat taking to streets in Mingora on Wednesday to lodge their protest against the incident. A large number of people participated in the rally at Nishat Chowk, including businessmen, members of civil society, elders of the area, women, bankers, political leaders and workers and students. The rally continued for a couple of hours. The rally started from Nishat Chowak and culminated at Grassi ground. Participants of the rally were chanting slogans against NATO and American forces and holding national flags, placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of the Pakistan Army. They demanded a permanent closure of NATO supply line. Addressing the rally, Swat Trade Federation President Abdur Rahim said, “We are with the Pakistan Army and term the attacks an unprovoked aggression on the sovereignty of the state.” He hoped an investigation would defuse the crisis and that confidence-building measures repair Pak-US ties. Pakistan Human Rights Chairman Raja Liaqat Ali said they were standing behind the Pakistan Army and would fight with it against the US and NATO forces. He said time had come to talk with the US on equal terms. He asked the government to seek an apology and assurance from NATO forces that such an incident would not occur in the future. Later, the participants prayed for the martyred soldiers and officers. The Swat Traders Federation had given call for strike and a complete shutter-down was observed in Mingora.
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