ISLAMABAD: Chaman and Torkham on Monday saw an influx of tribesmen, political workers and members of the civil society who were out there to protest against the new US policy for the region.
In a statement that was strongly rejected by the Pakistan last week, US President Donald Trump had demanded that Pakistan should ‘stop offering safe haven to agents of chaos’ and invited India to provide more economic assistance and carry out development in Afghanistan.
As a reaction to the statements, a large number of people from different parts of Khyber Agency gathered at Hamza Baba ground in Landi Kotal before heading towards Torkham border, where they protest was staged.
A number of people holding Pakistan flags, which also included members of the Sikh community, made their way towards the border along with scores of vehicles.
A jirga of tribal elders decided on Sunday to hold a protest demonstration against Trump’s statements.
Meanwhile, the Bab-e-Pakistan gate on the Pak-Afghan Border at Torkham has been shut for all type of movement. The security sources said that the border closure came as a preemptive step in light of the rally.
A similar protest was also carried out in Chaman, located in Balochistan, where various political parties, tribesmen and members of civil society gathered near the near the Pak-Afghan border to voice their concerns regarding the US president’s speech.
Waving national flags, the protesters walked through various parts of the city while chanting slogans against the US president.
Security sources said that strict measures were adopted to avoid the occurrence of any untoward incident during the protest.
A protest rally was also taken out in Balochistan’s Kohlu where flag waving tribesmen passed through the city and chanted slogans.
In Sibi, protestors took to the streets to condemn the president’s stance against Pakistan, while vowing to defend the country against any external threats.
Previously on Sunday, a heavy contingent of police intercepted rally of the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO) in Karachi after they crossed Numaish Chowrangi and resorted to baton charge and shelling as the organisers of the rally refused to disperse peacefully.
