KARACHI, Sept 3: The Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) and Imamia Students Organization (ISO) on Saturday held protest demonstrations at many educational institutions including colleges and public and private varsities in the city against Pakistan’s contacts with Israeli officials.

The IJT observed ‘black day’ against the meeting between Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom in Istanbul.

While, the ISO appealed to the masses to observe ‘black day’ on Sept 9 and to participate in the rallies to be taken out against Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and its conspiracies against the Muslim Ummah.

Protest demos were held at Karachi University, Federal Urdu University, Islamia Science, Govt National College, Dow university, Dawood college and some other colleges.

A large number of male and female students of Karachi University held protest demonstration at the points’ terminal against the government’s steps towards recognizing Israel and the meeting between Mr Kasuri and his Israeli counterpart.

Carrying banners and placards against the growing ties between Pakistan and Israel, they chanted slogans against President Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood and termed them “brothers of Israeli PM Sharon”.

On the occasion, they torched effigies of President Musharraf, Mr Kasuri and Israeli flags and vowed not to let any “illegal Pakistani government” to recognize Israel against the wishes of Pakistanis and Palestinians.

A protest demo was also held at FUUAST which was attended by students and employees of the varsity, who were holding placards against the Pakistani and Israeli officials’ meeting.

Protestors condemned the move and raised slogans against some political parties who welcomed the meeting.

Students of DUHS and DCET also held separate protest demos at their campuses and said that the government had no right to take decisions against the aspirations of its people.

IJT Nazim Tahir Akbar condemned the meeting and termed it a step towards recognizing Israel.

ISO office-bearers urged people to take to the streets against diplomatic ties with Israel.

Heavy contingents of police and Rangers had been deployed.—PPI