KARACHI, March 2: People, enraged by the American aggressive designs on Iraq, at a massive protest rally here on Sunday deplored the Bush administration’s policies towards the Muslim world and demanded of the Musharraf regime to vote against the US resolution on Iraq in the Security Council.
The rally was a manifestation of growing resentment to the American policies.
Organized by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, it was one of the biggest rallies in the city in recent years. A large number of women also participated in the rally. The rally adopted a resolution condemning the government ban on the entry of Allama Sajid Naqvi into Sindh.
Strict security measures were taken by security agencies and police marksmen were perched atop buildings to monitor the emotionally-charged crowd as it moved through M. A. Jinnah Road, the most important road in the city.
The protesters praised the courageous stand of France, Germany, China, Russia and the Turkish parliament, and also paid tribute to millions of anti- war protesters in the United States, Europe and other places around the globe.
The speakers warned the government of dire consequences if it sided with the US on the Iraq issue, as it did in the case of Afghanistan.
The thrust of speeches was that the Bush administration’s policies were a threat to world peace, especially to the Muslim world, as they were aimed at grabbing the natural resources of Muslim countries through their fragmentation.
They were of the view that the Americans were eying the Muslim world’s oil and other resources and urged the government to adopt the attitude of North Korea.
The rally started from Numaish Chowrangi near the Quaid’s mausoleum around 3pm and terminated beyond Tibet Centre peacefully just before Maghreb. Participants from various parts of the city had travelled in small processions to join the main rally. The organizers had provided fleet of buses to carry them to the venue of the protest rally.
The participants also offered Asr prayers on M. A. Jinnah Road.
Despite being Sunday, roads were crowded with vehicles carrying protesters to the venue.
Protesters marched through M. A. Jinnah Road chanting “Allah-o-Akbar,” “The World Says No to War” and carried placards inscribed with slogans “Bush-Blair- Sharon — terrorists of the world,” “No blood for Oil,” in Pakistan’s biggest anti-US protest in years.
Demonstrators, who included a large number of women, brandished President Bush’s pictures with Hitler’s traditional moustache to show the likeness of the former’s policies with those of the Nazi Germany’s ruler.
Some protesters waved posters of Saddam Hussein and at least one placard was seen with the image of Washington’s arch-nemesis, Osama Bin Laden. They also tore p a large banner carrying Pervez Musharraf’s picture to give vent to their anger against his alleged pro-US policies.
Also involved in the rally was the Tehreek-i-Insaf. Its secretary-general called for boycotting American goods such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, McDonald’s and the KFC.
Occupying the main M. A. Jinnah Road from Guru Mandir up to Tibet Centre adjoining streets and roofs of the buildings along the road, emotionally- charged protesters chanted slogans against the US, Britain, President Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and their allies.
They also burnt US flags and effigies of President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair to give vent to their anger.
The city administration had taken special measures to control law and order situation on the occasion and heavy contingents of the police, the Rangers and personnel of other law-enforcement agencies were alert all along the route of the million march.
The city administration made alternative traffic arrangements due to the million march.
Security around the US and British missions was beefed up and roads were closed to the public. All entry points leading to the Governor’s House were also blocked to prevent any untoward situation.
Security agencies remained alert in the rest of the city and temporary pickets were set up at all the vantage points.
