RAWALPINDI, Jan 22: Whether the rally held here on Sunday for the defence of Pakistan was to revive the  Jihadi spirit of the 1980s or to voice genuine concern at the threats that government policies may pose in the long-term would be known later, but the show at the Liaquat Bagh was not much impressive.

The ‘defence of Pakistan rally’ witnessed a gathering of Jihadi groups, radical Islamists, sectarian warriors and even some mashaikh.

Apart from various rightwing or pro-rightwing groups belonging to Pakistan Defence Council, comprising 44 politico-religious parties, the rally was also participated by the leadership of two Rawalpindi-based factions of Pakistan Muslim League and two former army generals. Almost all the speakers threatened to take over Islamabad by force if the Nato supplies were restored and India was granted the MFN (most favoured nation) status.

The rally was also attended by Jamaat-i-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hassan, Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, the president of Muslim Conference and former president of AJK, and ex-COAS Gen (retired) Aslam Beg.

About 10,000 to 15,000 people, including those from many districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attended the rally. Those who came from distant places expressed the confidence that the rally would pave the way towards ideological and political sovereignty of the country which they believed was lacking.

“This will show the Americans that we are united like Taliban of Afghanistan for our independence,” said Umar Gul, of Tehrik Irshad-i-Tauheed wa Sunnah, who came from Swabi. He said such show of strength would stop drone attacks.

Meanwhile, one worker of Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat (former Sipah-i-Sahaba), who came from Narang Mandi of Mandi Bahauddin, said they wanted the restriction on their party lifted. “This is unfair and all done at the behest of Americans as the US is afraid of Islamic revolution in Pakistan,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Ijazul Haq criticised the religious leadership for not being united and having strong discord in their ranks.

“There are active conspiracies against the country but they are all successful only because of disagreement among the Islamists. It will all end the day Maulana Samiul Haq votes for Maulana Fazlur Rehman and vice versa,” said Sheikh Rashid, the president of Awami Muslim League.

Spearheaded by Hafiz Saeed, leader of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), the umbrella organisation of the banned Lashkar-i-Taiba, the gathering also showcased the organisational strength of JuD as its workers managed all the arrangements, including security of the stage and the venue as a whole.

However, none of the parties or the participants displayed weapons while armed police personnel were seen around Liaquat Bagh and at the stage.

It may be noted that the Defence of Pakistan Council was created in the wake of the Nato attack on Salala checkpost in Mohmand Agency under the patronage of chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Maulana Samiul Haq.

Addressing the gathering, Maulana Samiul Haq took oath from the participants that the Islamists would surround the parliament if the government reopened the Nato supply routes.

“Jehad against the US aggressors will continue in Afghanistan till the American forces are forced to retreat back,” said the Maulana.

Meanwhile, JuD leader Hafiz Saeed dispelled the impression created by other speakers that the rally could provide a platform to Islamist rightwing groups or his entry into national politics.

“We are neither a political alliance nor having any aim to overthrow the government but only want an end to American interference in Pakistan. America cannot be Pakistan’s friend.”

He added that the Taliban in Afghanistan and the people of Pakistan were one entity, adding: “We are all in Jehad against the US aggressors.”

He also warned the government against granting MFN status to India. “I tell you that an aggressive movement will be launched if any interest of sacred land (Pakistan) is compromised for India.”

The rally also provided a chance to the banned militant groups to show their presence in the public - one reception stall was established by Ahle Sunnah wal Jamaat showcasing its old name Sipah Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) which has been banned, and the workers were openly distributing party flags to the participants.

Some even paid tributes to the banned groups, saying they had suffered at the hands of policy makers and were now ready to render sacrifices for defence of the country.

“The leaders of the country should see that those who had been banned and persecuted for 10 years are now at the forefront to defend the country,” Gen (retired) Hamid Gul said.

“The decision taken by our leaders to please the Americans has only caused sufferings for Muslim nation in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere.”

The former head of ISI said people were being called to defend the country because successive governments and politicians did not do their job well during the last 10 years.

“We have strong presence of 2.5 million ex-servicemen who will come out and along with the courageous Islamists free Islamabad of the US agents,” he added.

The speakers said the public meeting was aimed to give a message of solidarity with the Pakistanis and make a call for independent foreign and internal policies.

While being a strong opponent of taking pictures of living beings on religious grounds, Hafiz Saeed was seen talking on camera with the foreign media.

Though strong speeches and powerful rhetoric were witnessed against the government and politicians for their proposals to reopen Nato supply routes and grant MFN status to India, the leaders of the Islamic groups refrained from criticising the armed forces.