HYDERABAD, Sept 28 Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) organised rallies against 86 years sentence awarded to Dr.Aafia Siddiqui by a US court last week and demanded her repatriation. Rallies were taken out in all big cities of Sindh province in response to the party's countrywide call for protests. MQM leader Altaf Hussain addressed the rallies in the cities simultaneously on phone from London.

A big rally was staged on Miran Mohammad Shah road on Tuesday evening. Party workers cordoned the area from all the four corners of the venue, diverting and regulating traffic on their own. Small rallies from different parts of the city, including Qasimabad, Latifabad and city reached the venue. A large number of women party workers also participated in it.

Local party leaders had extended invitation to political and religious parties and other non-political religious groups. Hyderabad chapter of PPP leaders Amanullah Siyal, Aftab Khanzada and representatives of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry also attended the rally to hear the telephonic address of the MQM chief.

Addressing on the occasion, local zonal organiser Mohammad Sharif said that 86 years sentence to Dr.Aafia had sent a wave of anger among Pakistani nation which is demanding her release. He said that Altaf Hussain was the only leader who had obtained nothing for himself during his struggle spanning over three decades. He said that he had always raised voice for downtrodden without discrimination of caste, creed and colour. He said that during Altaf Hussain's struggle for oppressed, he lost his own brother and paternal nephew but the caravan of 'haq parasti' is continuing. He said that murder of Dr.Imran Farooque is to block revolution.

MQM MNA Salahuddin told the gathering that protests are being held in all parts of the country adding that people are condemning sentence given by US court to her. He rejected sentence and demanded her release. He said that US claimed to be the champion of human rights but it is not respecting rights of others and constitution. He urged Americans who believe in justice to put pressure on their government for Dr Aafia's release failing which extremist would gain ground.

He said that people would be justified to think that US has no respect to constitution and comity of nation. He said that such punishment would lead to extremism and countries and forces which were trying to do away with extremism to make world a citadel of peace would face defeat.

PPP leader Amanaullah Siyal said that his party is with MQM on Dr.Aafia issue and would side with MQM within and outside parliament over this issue. He said that Altaf Hussain has raised voice for daughter of the nation and it is voice of entire Pakistan.

Haji Mohammad Yaqob and Azizuddin Arain also spoke on the occasion.

NAWABSHAH The activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement took out a rally and staged demonstration.

The rally started from MQM Zonal office and after marching on Phatak road, Market road, Lal Building road and Katchehry road, terminated at press club.

The protesters were carrying banners, placards and portraits of their leaders and were raising slogans for immediate and honourable release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.

Workers of Pakistan Muslim League -- Functional, Sunni Tehreek, Tajir Union, Jamat-e- Saleheen, Nawabshah Disability Forum, Pakhtoon Welfare Association and MQM ladies wing also participated in the rally.

MIRPURKHAS A big protest rally was taken out by MQM Mirpurkhas zone from Municipal shopping center to protest release of Dr Aafia. Local leaders and office- bearers of different political parties, including PPP, PML (F), JSQM, PML-Q, JUP, JUI, Sunni Tahreek and members of civil society participated in the rally.

It was led by zonal in charge of MQM Mirpurkhas Azeem Danish and joint in-charge interior Sindh organising committee Mureed Brohi. The protesters carried banners and placards and raised slogans against USA and demanded her release.

They reached before the local press club where leaders condemned her punishment by the US court.

They demanded of government to take up matter and bring her back to Pakistan. They said that she was daughter of the nation and was sentenced for 86 years for no crime. They said that they would support call of MQM to secure her release.

Azeem Danish, MPA Faheem Altafi, provincial vice president JUP Mufti Shareef Saeedi, city president PPP Malik Yaseen Ghori, district Ameer JUI Moulana Hafeezur Rehman Faiz, Iltimas Sabir of Sunni Tehreek, Abid Rajput of PML(F), Faqeer Qaiser Mari of JSQM, trader leader Haji Akhlaque, Aftab Qureshi, Malik Liaqat of PML(Q), Jalil Khan of Pakhtoon Khawah Milli party also spoke on the occasion.

SUKKUR Hundreds of Muttahida Qaumi Movement activists staged a demonstration outside the Sukkur press club on Tuesday and condemned the US court verdict against Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

Carrying placards and led by zonal in charge Qutubuddin Ansari and others, they marched from Jinnah Chowk and shouted anti-US slogans.

After marching on main thoroughfares of the city, they gathered outside the press club and demonstrated.

Addressing the protesters, the Muttahida leaders strongly condemned the US judicial system for its double standards and said that they always talk about justice and equality, but when it comes to its own government, they make decisions keeping in view their national interests.

In Aafia Siddiqui's case requirements of the justice were not fulfilled and daughter of Pakistan was denied opportunity to defend her.

They said the entire nation was with Dr. Aafia and “we will not sit idle till her release.” MQM will continue its struggle for her release on every forum hoping that the party would succeed in getting her released. They pledged that their party would never abandon Dr Aafia in this hour of trial.

LARKANA The workers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) took out a procession from its zonal office and demanded release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui here on Tuesday. Ubedulalh Buledi, the zone in-charge of MQM, led the procession which terminated outside Jinnahbagh gate.

Addressing the gathering, the local MQM leaders said that those who had branded MQM chief pro-US, were now supporting US policies. They sought immediate release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.