March 18, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 14, 1424

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FAISALABAD, March 17: Hundreds of activists of religious organizations belonging to the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) on Monday took out a procession against the possible US-led war against Iraq.

The anti-US procession, as part of the MMA’s million-man march campaign, started from Narwala Intersection. Most participants were from adjoining tehsils like Jaranwala, Samundri, Tandlianwala, Chak Jhumra of the Faisalabad district and areas of Jhang and Toba Tek Singh. They came to the city on tractor trolleys, wagons and buses.

A majority of processionists were wearing headbands and armbands inscribed with slogans against America and in favour of peace. They were also shouting slogans against the Musharraf government.

Heavy police contingents, including lady police force, were deputed along the routes of the rally to avert any untoward incident.

A good number of women, including schoolgirls, also took part in the procession. Leaders of local trade organizations, too, participated the MMA’s rally.

The rally reached the Clock Tower intersection after parading through different city roads where speakers expressed their solidarity with the Iraqi people and condemned the plans of US and its allied forces for attacking Iraq.

Criticizing President Pervez Musharraf, they alleged the support extended by the Pakistan government to US forces in its aggression against Afghanistan had encouraged the Bush administration to wage another war against a Muslim country.

MMA central leader and MNA Liaquat Baloch said the entire world was against the attack on Iraq. Replacement of Saddam or his government was not the object of war, but they wanted to capture Iraq’s resources and strengthen the boundaries and interests of Israel, he said.

The government, he said, had become a puppet which was being moved by the US administration at the cost of prestige of Muslims and independence of Pakistan. The Musharraf government should clearly announce its policy of casting vote in the US security council against American plan to raid Iraq.

He alleged the secret information was being handed over to the American forces in the name of national interest and bilateral coordination. Sensitive policies were being framed with the consultation of FBI and other US agencies which was a direct attack on national sovereignty, he said.

Senator Sajid Mir said the Bush administration was following the agenda of Israel by disarming Iraq.

Former PML MNA Safdar Rehman said that days of the government had been numbered due to which it started adopting harsh steps. The PML-N would not change its policy about raising voice against misdeeds of rulers, he said.

Local MMA leaders also announced that they would participate in the MMA’s Lahore rally on March 23.