July 21, 2007	Saturday	Rajab 05, 1428

RAWALPINDI, July 20: The Muttahida Majlas Amal (MMA) has condemned the operation against the Lal Masjad and Jamia Hafsa at a protest rally and demanded a judicial inquiry into the killings, here on Friday.

Led by the central leader of the religious alliance, Liaquat Baloch and MNA Mohammad Hanif Abassi, the participants of the rally chanted slogans against the government and were also carrying banners condemning the action of the government against, what they called, ruthless killing of innocent male and female students in the mosque and the madressah.

The rally was taken out from Raja Bazaar to Fawara Chowk, where it was addressed by Liaquat Baloch, Hanif Abaasi and other local leaders of the religious alliance.

On the occasion, the MMA leaders said that one-man rule in the country was undermining its foundation and the army was pitted against the people, which would have serious long-term consequences and would be detrimental to the interests of the country.

They said the sacrifices during the operation would not go waste and vowed to continue the struggle for the enforcement of Sharia in the country. The speakers at the rally also vowed to resist any government intervention in madressah system.

The religious alliance leaders demanded a judicial inquiry into the killing and to bring the facts about the operation to the knowledge of the people and claimed that the number of those killed in the operation were far more than the government’s claims.

They said the action was taken to please the Americans and other western countries but it would increase the resentment of the people against the government.

The leaders at the rally said that the policies of the government were not in sync with the wishes of the people, which was increasing the gulf between the rulers and the ruled.