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PESHAWAR, Jan 20: Outrage continued against the US missile attack on Bajaur Agency and various political parties and civil society groups organised anti-US rallies on Friday in cities and town around the country. Demonstrations were held also in Peshawar and several areas of Fata. The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), Peoples’ Party Parliamentarians (PPP), Awami National Party (ANP), Muslim League (PML-N) and other groups held a joint public meeting in Peshawar to condemn the last week’s US air strike on the tribal area.
Workers of various political parties, chanting anti-US and anti-Musharraf slogans, assembled in the city’s congested Kabuli Gate. They were demanding end to diplomatic relations with America and military operation in tribal areas.
The MMA had planned to march towards heavily guarded US consulate in cantonment, however the rally organisers dropped the plan.
Later, a delegation, comprising parliamentarians and leaders of different political parties, presented a memorandum at the consulate.
The document said: “The US government should tender apology for killing innocent people in the missile attack and compensate the loss. America should stop supporting the military regime Pakistan and help democratic institutions to flourish.”
The three-page document said the pre-dawn air strike on Bajaur Agency had killed about 30 innocent citizens. It asked the US government to halt war against Muslims.
Protesters, carrying banners, placards and multi-colour flags set effigies of President Bush on fire. The rally through a resolution demanded to finish ties with America.
The resolution said the army chief had failed to protect country from foreign aggression, and demanded his resignation.
The rally called for end to military operation in Fata and Balochistan, withdrawal of troops from these areas and giving up Kalabagh dam project for good.
LAWYAERS: The lawyer community observed a black day in Peshawar and took out a procession against US aggression.
It started from the Peshawar High Court and ended at the Governor House, where they presented memorandum to government officials.
The black day was observed on the appeal of the Pakistan Bar Council and president of the High Court Bar Association Iqbal Mohmand. General secretary Astaghferullah of the association led the procession.
The protesters shouted slogans against the President Bush and President Gen Musharraf.
Earlier, a joint general body meeting of the High Court Bar Association and District Bar Association was held in the Bar room. Speakers condemned attack on the Damadola area in Bajaur Agency and termed it an act of terrorism.
They bitterly criticised the government for what they described as pursuing the policies of US. They alleged that before the attack, the government had been taken into confidence and termed the bombardment on civilians a violation of human rights.
Anwarullah Khan adds from Khar: Ulema condemned the US attack on Damadola in Bajaur Agency and called upon the people to boycott the US goods.
Speaking at Friday congregations, they asked the federal government to lodge strong protest with Washington on the attack and sever diplomatic and economic ties with the US.
