BANNU, May 12: Speakers at a protest demonstration here on Saturday blasted the government for allowing American commandos to operate inside Pakistan in search of suspected fighters of Taliban and al-Qaeda network.

The protest was organized by the religious organizations to condemn the raids on Madaris and arrest of religious scholars in various parts of the country, including the Bannu district.

The protesters carrying placards and banners and raising anti-government and anti-American slogans marched on various roads of the Bannu city. The procession turned into a big public meeting at the Jaffar Khan mosque, which was presided over by JUI Bannu Amir Maulana Abdur Razzaq Mujaddadi.

Local leaders of different religious and political parties and a large number of people attended the public meeting.

Speaking at the rally, JUI Bannu secretary general Syed Naseeb Ali Shah said that violation of the sanctity of religious schools would not be tolerated.

Other speakers also blasted the government for its pro-west and pro-American stance, dubbing the rulers “agents of the Zionist lobby.”

They said that any Pakistani commando, who aided the Americans in their search for Taliban and al-Qaeda and violated the sanctity of the Madaris, would be treated as American commando.