October 20, 2001	Saturday	Shaba'an 2, 1422

KARACHI, Oct 19: The Pak-Afghan Defence Council and its allied parties held protest rallies after Friday prayers at different places in the city, in which speakers condemned the US bombing on Afghanistan where, according to them, contrary to the claims of targeting military installations, innocent citizens were being killed.

Demanding the government to review its policy of extending cooperation to the US they called upon the regime to withdraw cases of treason against Maulana Fazlur Rehman and release all arrested leaders of the PADC.

The PADC’s rally at Chandni Chowk in Baldia Town was addressed by Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai, Mufti Jamil, Maulana Abdul Karim Abid, Qari Osman, Gul Muhammad Talooni and Maulana Ashraf Awan.

Condemning the arrest of the Ulema they demanded the government to release Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others before the “Million March” next Friday to ensure their participation otherwise, they said, the government would be responsible for the law and order situation.

Two other rallies were held, one at a mosque near Nipa Chowrangi, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, which was addressed by Maulana Abdul Rehman Salfi of Jamaat-i- Ahle Hadis and the second was organized at Dawood Chowrangi where Sipah-i-Sahaba leaders expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.

The speakers demanded release of Maulana Tariq Azam and other leaders immediately and to review the pro-US policy, which, they said, was against the aspirations and feelings of the masses in the country.

The speakers stressed the need for unity among the Ummah and said the US-led allies war in Afghanistan was not aimed at Osama bin Laden or Taliban but a crusade against the Muslims.