March 29, 2003	Saturday	Muharram 25, 1424

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QUETTA, March 28: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, a key component of Muttahida Majlis Amal, and Federation of Non-governmental Organizations (FNGO) staged protest demonstrations against US-led invasion of Iraq, here on Friday.

A large number of people gathered in Shaldara area of the provincial capital after Juma prayers, carrying placards and banners inscribed with anti-US and anti-war slogans.

The protesters, led by President of JUI Quetta district, Maulana Noor Mohammad, MNA, marched through various roads and streets of the city before reaching Mezeen Chowk where they staged a sit-in, causing suspension of traffic.

However, the local administration and Quetta district government succeeded in restoring traffic after negotiation with the JUI leaders.

The protesters shouted slogans against US President George Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Later, the protestors gathered in front of Quetta Press Club where speakers condemned the US aggression on Iraq and termed it an attack on humanity.

They said that despite heavy bombardment and missile attacks, the Iraqi people refused to bow down before the allies, who were facing strong resistance on all fronts.

They said that US commander failed to win over the support of Iraqi people in Basra and other places as they refused to extend any support to them against their country.

The speakers urged the world leaders to take notice of civilian killings in Iraq, and take steps for stopping the unjust war. They also asked the Islamic states to get united behind Iraq or they would face the same situation later on.

They asked the people to fully participate in the million-man-march scheduled for April 2, in Quetta.

Earlier, Federation of NGOs, Balochistan, also staged a demo against the US-led attack on Iraq, and expressed solidarity with the innocent people of Iraq.

The participants, led by Secretary General of the Federation, Sadiq Panezai, paraded through the city, carrying placards inscribed with anti-Bush and anti-Blair slogans.

In Zhob, Pashtroonkhawa Milli Awami Party also held an anti-war rally. Senior Deputy Chairman of the party, Abdul Rahim Mandokhel, said it was not the first aggression mounted by the United States. It had attacked Vietnam in early 60s but the people of that country defeated Washington by fighting a long war.

He said the United States and Britain had jointly attacked Iraq just to take control of the oil resources.