KARACHI, Nov 3: Protest demonstrations were staged in several parts of the city on Friday condemning the attack on religious seminary in Bajaur Agency leaving more than 80 persons dead.
The demonstrations were held on the appeal of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and the All Pakistan Muttahida Azad Qabail Ittehad (Tribal Alliance).
Addressing the main protest demonstration at Nauman Mosque in Lasbella, MMA MPA Nasarullah Khan Shajee accused President General Musharraf of misleading people by claiming that Pakistan Army was involved in bombardment on religious seminary in Bajaur instead of telling the truth to the nation that US forces killed innocent people in its air strike.
“The entire nation is sad and enraged over the killing of innocent students of the seminary,” he said asking the government to prove evidence if these students were involved in any kind of terrorism as after bombardment only bodies and copies of Holy Quraan were recovered from the rubble.
“People ask Musharraf as in which offence these innocent students were killed,” he said alleging that President Musharaf led government has put the national integrity and independence of the country at stake.
He also criticized the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for impeding MMA’s condemnation resolution against Bajaur incident in Sindh Assembly and said this act of MQM had proved that it was equally responsible for the crime.
The demonstration, which was part of the MMA’s call for observing protest day against US forces strikes in Bajaur, was also addressed by the Pakistan Muslim League (N) Sindh Vice-President Israr Mishwani.
He said that PML-N chief and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the barbaric attack on innocent people and directed party members to attend protest meetings of the MMA.
Israr Mishwani said that army had failed to protect the borders of the country and the government became helpless on the US directive.
Kausar Zaidi of the Islami Tehrik said that Bajaur incident was the continuation of aggression being carried out by the US against tribal people. He said that US forces attacked on Bajaur on the very day when an agreement with the government was likely to be held.
National Labour Federation President Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed criticised the government economical and foreign policies.
Addressing another protest demonstration in Gulshan-i-Iqbal and Gulistan-i-Jauhar, MMA Sindh President Maulana Asadullah Bhutto condemned the killing of innocent people and said President Musharraf's admission of the offence was his failed attempt to divert the public attention from the fact that the US were involved in killing of tribal people.
He said that the government should inform parliament about the facts and clear its position regarding involvement of Pakistani Army in such attack. He demanded that the government should apologize on Bajaur incident. Besides, he said that heirs of innocent people who were killed in the attack must be awarded compensation.
Meanwhile, hundreds of enraged people belonging to the federal administered tribal areas took out a protest rally under the banner of the All Pakistan Muttahida Azad Qabail Ittehad (Tribal Alliance).
The rally led by Shahid Ali Khan condemned the killing of 82 students in Bajaur by the US forces. The protestors peacefully marched from Sabzi Madi to New M.A. Jinnah Road where the rally converted into a big public gathering.
When the protestors tried to march towards the Karachi Press Club, police blocked the roads by placing obstacles behind the Mazar-i-Qaied and did not allow the rally to proceed ahead. Heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deputed at New M.A. Jinnah Road and routes of rally to avoid any untoward situation.
The protestors were carrying banners and placards inscribed with demands for conducting the investigation of Bajaur incident under the supervision of Supreme Court judges and immediate arrest and trial of army officers involved in this incident. They also chanted slogans against government and the US.
Speakers including Shahid Ali, Haji Jannat Gul of the JUI, Lala Nazir Gul and others condemned the US bombardment on the religious seminary which left 82 students dead. They accused the US government of carrying out air raids and killing of innocent people and alleged that the government was trying to conceal the facts by claiming responsibility of the attack.
They said that the government had failed to provide security to their people and instead it was using state force against them.
“People of tribal areas are peace loving and they are not involved in any terrorism activities,” they said saying that peace agreement like Waziristan was also near to be inked between the government and the elders of Bajour Agency.
“The US and pro-US elements were not in favour of peace in tribal areas and they were trying to sabotage peace agreement through a conspiracy,” they said adding that the US was itself involved in terrorist activities all over the world and killing of Muslims.
Meanwhile, complete shutterdown strike was observed in the main vegetable and fruit market on the appeal of the All Pakistan Muttahida Azad Qabail Ittehad against the Bajaur incident. The strike affected the supply of vegetable and fruit to the city.
The members of the labour unions and the traders wore black armbands in protest.
Ghaibana Nimaz-i-Janaza was also offered for those who were killed in the Bajaur operation.—PPI
KARACHI, Nov 3: Protest demonstrations were staged in several parts of the city on Friday condemning the attack on religious seminary in Bajaur Agency leaving more than 80 persons dead.
