February 20, 2003	Thursday	Zul Hijjah 18, 1423

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QUETTA, Feb 19: The lawyers community marched through the streets of Quetta in protest against the US plan to attack Iraq here on Wednesday.

Shouting slogans and carrying placards, around 300 lawyers paraded through various roads and streets of this provincial capital. President Balochistan Bar Association, Ali Ahmed Kurd, led the march.

Waving signs saying “down with Bush and Blair” and “no blood for oil”, the lawyers vented their anger on the US for resolutely disregarding the global anti-war sentiments and beating the war drums.

A large number of people also joined the protest to express their solidarity with the people of Baghdad.

The protesters later gathered in front of the Quetta Press Club.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Kurd blasted the US for preparing to impose war on Iraq despite protest rallies and demos around the world against such a move.

He urged the US president to try and find a solution to the Iraq crisis through diplomatic means, and avoid attacking Baghdad.

“Bush must respect the world opinion against war,” Mr Kurd said and added that peaceful efforts could alone resolve the issue.

The BBA president also criticized President Pervez Musharraf and his policies, saying he was helping the cause of the US.