March 27, 2003	Thursday	Muharram 23, 1424

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MUZAFFARABAD, March 26: Dozens of women staged a demonstration on Wednesday to condemn the US-led invasion of Iraq.

The demonstration, organized by the “Citizens Network against War on Iraq,” was part of a series of rallies which organizers said were held across Pakistan to condemn the “war for oil”.

“Down with Bush”, “Down with Blair”, “Long live Saddam”, chanted the women as they assembled at the press club and then marched on the main road outside the club.

A banner being carried by the women in front row said: “World nations! Unite against the jingoism of America.” Others were holding placards.

One of them read: “Drop Bush, not bomb,” while another said, “war on Iraq is naked terrorism.”

“We express complete solidarity with the Iraqi women and children and salute their courage. We strongly condemn the savage aggression by the United States and the United Kingdom against Iraq,” said Shagufta Mustafa, one of the organizers, in a statement.

“We call upon those countries which had opposed the war to take practical steps to get the war stopped,” she added.

She said that the welcoming aspect was that the people across the world, belonging to all races and religions, were protesting against American aggression.

“The people have come to know that this war is to gain control of oil wells in Middle East as well as to maintain America’s supremacy.”