ISLAMABAD, Sept 15: The People’s Rights Movement (PRM) on Monday staged a protest demonstration in front of the Parliament House to express solidarity with thousands of people who successfully registered their concerns during the ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference at Cancun, Maxico.

Though a thinly attended demonstration, it was able to attract the attention of parliamentarians who were coming to attend the National Assembly session, here on Monday.

But, during an-hour-long demonstration none of the parliamentarians alighted from his/her vehicle to listen to the protesters.

The protesters were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the WTO, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and termed the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) “international terrorist organizations”.

The protesters urged the parliamentarians to uphold the principle stand that was articulated in Cancun by the Third World countries against huge subsidies to farmers in the US and Europe.

It was also pointed out that the IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank (ADB) were still pressurising Pakistan to further reduce subsidies to small farmers.

On the occasion, the PRM also demanded that the government should stop catering to every need of the US and immediately expel all the US military personnel and disallow any further CIA or FBI operations in the country.

It was also pointed out that decisions about foreigners’ presence in Pakistan, just like decisions about economic policy, should be the exclusive domain of the Parliament.

Unfortunately, all such important decisions continue to be made by the military establishment which is not accountable to the people of the country, the movement activists said.