KARACHI, March 16: The Stop the War Coalition (SWC) on Thursday asked people to participate in the march to be held here on Saturday against the three years of US occupation of Iraq.

Addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club, SWC convenor Wahid Bashir said that prominent intellectuals, representatives of civil society organizations, students, trade unionists and peace activists would take part in the march from Fresco Chowk to Regal Chowk through Burnes Road.

He said that Iraq had suffered a loss of more than 100,000 lives and no end to it was in sight. Iraqis want the US and its allies to leave their country while the occupation forces were plotting new aggression.

“We were misled about the causes of attack on Iraq and it is time that occupiers of Iraq are held accountable for their atrocities. In Pakistan, military forces are bombing Balochistan and Waziristan in the name of ‘war against terrorism’ and in the service of imperialist designs, and as a result, ordinary citizens are being killed and maimed,” he added.

He said that March 18 was the international day of action against occupation. Protests demonstrations in 245 cities across the world, including Iraq, have been planned.

He said that in Lahore, a rally would be taken out by the Anti-War Committee from Mall to Lakshmi Chowk whereas in Islamabad, progressive intellectuals and workers would take out a rally from Liaquat Bagh.

Other members of the SWC also spoke at the press conference.