May 11, 2005	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 2, 1426

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PESHAWAR, May 10: The Pasban youth organization staged a protest demonstration here on Tuesday against desecration of Holy Quran by US interrogators in Guantanamo Bay and publication of a derogatory cartoon in The Washington Times. A protest march, led by Pasban’s provincial chief Qari Masahib Gul, started from the Khyber Bazar and after passing through various markets culminated at the Peshawar Press Club.

Protesters also blocked the Sher Shah Suri Road for 20 minutes as a mark of protest against government’s policies. They were holding placards and banners inscribed with anti-US and anti-government slogans. Pasban leaders, including Abdur Rehman and Syed Kamal Shah Bukhari, addressed the gathering.

The speakers criticized the MMA government for its silence on the issue, saying that instead of waiting for Islamabad’s reaction, it should utilize all possible channels to convey people’s sentiments to the US government.

They demanded that Islamabad should effectively express the resentment of 150 million Pakistani with the US government.

“The US should tender apology to the ummah and give an undertaking that no such incident would take place in future,” a participant said.

Qari Masahib Gul termed the desecration of Holy Quran and publishing of the cartoon a part of the Jewish agenda.

He urged the world human rights bodies to raise the issue as it had shocked the emotions of entire ummah. Besides, the human rights bodies should also put pressure on the US government to stop its operation against innocent people, Mr Gul added.