KARACHI, March 18: Protest rallies and demonstrations were held in the city after Friday prayers by various parties against the release of Raymond Davis, describing the Wednesday drone attack that killed more than 40 innocent people “as an American gift for the CIA contractor’s release”. Speakers at the various events condemned the role of the federal and Punjab governments in helping the CIA operative released and thereby compromising the national interest.

The main rally was staged by the Jamaat-i-Islami in front of Baitul-Makarram Masjid on the main University Road.

It was joined in by a large number of people after Friday prayers. The participants of the rally raised slogans against both the federal and Punjab governments over the release of Ramond Davis.

The rally was addressed by the JI’s deputy chief Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, who said the federal and Punjab governments had committed a crime against the nation and the country by releasing the US spy. He also said that by releasing Raymond Davis, the rulers had put the country’s sovereignty at the mercy of foreign powers.

He accused the federal and Punjab governments of trying to befool the nation but, he said, the nation would not pardon them for it.

The JI leader urged the people to get united under the banner of the Jamaat to get rid of US henchmen. He deplored that the rulers had no courage to demand the release and repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who had been handed down an 86-year prison term for a crime she did not even commit.

He described Thursday’s drone attack in North Waziristan as open aggression by the US against the sovereignty of Pakistan, adding that it was “a gift” from the US to Pakistan for Raymond Davis’s release.

JUI-F condemnation The Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan (JUI-F) also held protest rallies at various places in the city.

JUI leader Qari Sher Afzal, condemning the release of the CIA operative, said it was injustice to the nation. He said the rulers had compromised the national interest and thus they had no right to rule the country.

Meanwhile, JUI provincial vice-president Maulana Abdul Karim also condemned the “mysterious release” of Raymond Davis, saying that the rulers had compromised the national interest.

He urged the army chief and the chief justice of Pakistan to take serious note of the event and play their role in addressing concerns of the nation.

The JUI leader also condemned the drone attacks in Waziristan and urged the government to review its pro-American policy.

PTI rally

The labour wing of the Tehrik-i-Insaf also staged a protest rally at the Karachi Press Club.

The participants of the rally were addressed by PTI provincial chief Naeem-ul-Haq, who termed the release of Ramond Davis a tragedy and held the federal and Punjab government responsible for it.

He alleged that the rulers had sold out the national interest for a handful of dollars, adding that the nation would never forgive them.

Pasban protest A protest rally was also held by Pasban at Sohrab Goth, where a large number of people gathered to offer prayers for those killed in the latest drone attack in Waziristan.

Speaking at the rally, Pasban general secretary Usman Moazam criticised the rulers for what he called compromising the national interest by handing over Raymond Davis to the US.

He said the rulers had committed a blunder, adding that they would have to pay a “big price” for it. He alleged that the government had secretly planned the release of the CIA operative, but regretted that it did nothing for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

The Pasban leader also condemned the drone attacks in Waziristan Jaffaria Alliance The Jaffaria Alliance Pakistan staged a solidarity rally in Kharadar in support of the revolutionary struggle of the people of Bahrain.

The rally was attended by a large number of people and it was addressed by JAP leaders Allama Abbas Kumaili, Maulana Husain Masudi, Allama Furqan Haider Abidi and Allama Jafar Raza.

They extended their full support to the revolutionary struggle of the people of Bahrain. They also criticised the Saudi government for “its role in the release of Raymond Davis” and urged them not to interfere in the internal affairs of Bahrain and pull out forces from that country.