ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: Traders of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have expressed their solidarity and full support to Pakistan Army in this critical hour when Indians have deployed massive forces at borders and escalated tension in the region.

Representatives from different traders’ associations and welfare organizations, in a meeting held here on Saturday, expressed their full support for Pakistan Army, stating that they are ready to sacrifice money and blood for the country’s safety.

The district Nazim of Rawalpindi, Raja Tariq Kiyani, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the world knew that Pakistan was a responsible member of the international coalition to combat terrorism and always condemned terrorism in all its forms.

“We are ready to defy any Indian aggression on the solidarity of Pakistan and we will fight shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan Army”, Tariq Kiyani said.

Mr Kiyani urged the traders to pay their taxes on time so that the financial problems, being faced by Pakistan, could be resolved and economy could be strengthened.

Raja Hammad Bin Arif, the president of the Traders’ Association, Blue Area, said they would arrange blood banks and donation camps for Pakistan Army personnel in case of war. He said whole traders’ community expanded its full support to President General Pervez Musharraf and have full confident in his leadership.

He said the traders were taking steps to strengthen the economic borders of Pakistan. “Pakistan is our homeland and traders will spare no step for the safety and solidarity of the country”, he added. — PPI