December 15, 2001	Saturday	Ramazan 29, 1422

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FAISALABAD, Dec 14: Activists of religious and jihadi organizations staged a rally on Friday to condemn the foreign policy of the government and to express solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and Palestine.

The rally was held on the call of the Pak-Afghan Defence Council. Office-bearers and leaders of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan and other religious organizations led the procession.

The protesters, carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-government slogans, demanded a change in the foreign policy especially about Afghanistan.

The procession started from the regional secretariat of the Jamaat-i-Islami and terminated at the Clock Tower Intersection where speakers held military rulers responsible for the end of the Taliban government.

They demanded that all their arrested leaders should be released before Eid otherwise they would launch a countrywide protest movement against the government.

They also criticized statements of the interior minister about religious institutes.

DEMAND: All appointments in the education department should be made through the Public Service Commission.

This was demanded by the Punjab Primary Elementary Teachers Association secretary information, Bashir Snobar, while talking to newsmen here on Friday.

He alleged that the policies were framed on the recommendation of non-educationists and they were responsible for the deteriorating education standard.

He demanded a complete overhaul of the education department and constitution of a fact-finding committee to review the performance of teachers and the syllabus.