Religious parties took out a rally on Saturday to protest against US drone strikes inside Pakistan, NATO strikes on Pakistani posts on November 26, and the government’s decision to give India the Most Favoured Nation status. The Difa-e-Pakistan (Pakistan’s Defence) rally was organised by the Pakistan Defence Council and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JD). Several religious parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Jamaat Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat, and Jamaat Ahl-e-Hadees, also participated in the rally. The procession started from the Siddique-e-Akbar mosque in Tariqabad, Khanewal and reached the Sanglanwala Chowk, where JD leader Hafiz Sultan addressed the rally participants.
He alleged that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government was working for American agenda against Islam. The rally participants, holding banners and placards, shouted slogans against the Untied States and the Pakistani rulers “working to implement US-favoured policies”. He said the people of Pakistan, particularly the religious parties, would never allow the rulers to risk Pakistan’s solidarity. Separately, the opening ceremony of Punjab Sports Festival 2012 will be held today in the city sports stadium.
