KARACHI, Aug 26: The Muttahida Majlis-i- Amal has threatened to bring out a ‘million march’ in Karachi and block the city roads if the government sends Pakistani troops to Iraq.
This was announced by leaders of the alliance during a protest demonstration held by Jamaat Islami (JI) Karachi here on Tuesday in front of the Karachi Press Club.
Prominent among those who addressed the demonstration were Naib Amir JI and central leader of the MMA, Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, Hafiz Mohammad Taqi and Hafiz Syed Maher.
Hafiz Mohammad Taqi, slamming the government for pursuing dictates of the US government, warned it of extreme reaction by the masses and political parties of the country if it went against public sentiments and sent troops to Iraq to help the US.
“People of Iraq are struggling to rid their land of aggressive forces and sending Pakistan Army men will invite the wrath of the people of Iraq who will react very strongly against a Muslim country involved in aggressive designs against them,” he said. Hafiz Mohammad Taqi warned the government that if it acted on its decision to send troops to Iraq, it would have to face a ‘million march’ blocking all the roads of the city. “The misguided approach of the government may spell serious consequences as it would undermine the image of the Army which is held in high esteem by the people,” he added.
Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, in his address, urged the government to display courage and ask US and UK governments to call back their troops from Iraq, as both the countries had misguided their people for attacking a country that was already ravaged by decade-long sanctions by th UN.
He said the people of the country would never allow the government to send troops to Iraq and adopt a submissive stand. He further said it would be in the interests of the occupiers to quit Iraq as soon as possible. Hafiz Syed Mahmood said the people had rejected the government’s decision to spill the blood of their Muslims brethren. “The people and the religious parties of the country believe that sending Pakistani troops to Iraq amounts to a declaration of war against the people of that country, and it will draw a strong reaction from the Arab World,” he said.—PPI
