MULTAN, Oct 12: Mass protests against US attack on Afghanistan continued throughout the Punjab on Friday.

In Multan, activists of various religious organizations took out a protest procession under the banner of the Pakistan and Afghanistan Defence Council to condemn American atrocities in the war-torn neighbouring country.

Workers of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, the Jamaat-i-Islami, the Majlis Ahrar-i-Islam, the Tanzeem-i-Islami and Hizbul Mujahideen started their march from Husain Agahi Chowk and reached the Ghanta Ghar Chowk.

They chanted slogans against America, Israel and the Pakistan government for their alleged collaboration to ruin a model Islamic state in Afghanistan.

A heavy police contingent remained alert, but avoided to stop the protesters.

In Gujranwala, almost all religious parties and jihadi organizations took out a procession against the US and its allies for killing innocent Muslims and destroying mosques and public properties through heavy bombing in Afghanistan.

The protesters also burnt an effigy of President Bush and demanded that attacks should be stopped immediately. They gathered outside Sheranwala Bagh on the GT Road after Friday prayers and marched up to Gondlanwala Chowk.

The procession was participated in by activists of the PML-N and the JI, the JUI, the SSP, the Jamiat Ahle Hadith and the Jamaat Ahle Sunnat besides traders, lawyers and people from various walks of life.

Earlier, the District Bar Association also staged a protest rally which was led by its president, Naveed Anwar Naveed. The rally started from the district courts and terminated at the same place after parading on various roads.

The lawyers decided that they would also observe a strike on Monday.

In Faisalabad, the Afghan Defence Council, the JI and the All-Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran announced that they would observe a shutter down on Monday in protest against government policies and to condemn US airstrikes on Afghanistan.

At a meeting held at the Al-Markazul Islami, it was decided that protest rallies would be held on the arrival of Collin Powell to show their “hatred” against America.

All-Pakistan Anjuman Tajiran chairman Mian Abdul Mannan assured his full support to the strike call.

In Jhang, the Pakistan and Afghanistan Defence Council staged a rally on the fourth day running to condemn the US-led attack on Afghanistan.

The rally, led by JI naib amir Liaquat Baloch, started from Jamia Mahmoodia, Gojra Road, and culminated at Ayub Chowk after passing through Nawaz Chowk, Chuna Bhattian Chowk and Session Chowk.

The protesters put to torch tyres and effigies of UK and US presidents.

Speaking at the rally, the

JI naib amir said peaceful protests would continue till the government changed its Afghan policy.

Protest processions were also taken out in Bahawalpur, Okara, Vehari and other districts of the province.