KARACHI, July 15: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on Thursday held a protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club against the government's alleged intention to send troops to Iraq to support occupation forces there.

Carrying banners and placards, inscribed with anti-US slogans, the protesters warned the government against taking such a decision. MMA leaders Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, Shabbir Abu Talib and Mohammad Muslim addressed the participants.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Siddiqui pointed out that though the country was poor and most of its population lived below poverty line, major share of its budget was being spent on defence. "This is injustice to the citizens," he added.

The MMA leader observed that armed forces of the country were supposed to defend the country geographical and ideological borders, and not to carry out killing of Muslims and extend support to enemies of Islam.

He pointed out that Spain and Philippines had withdrawn their forces from Iraq and most of western countries had closed their consulates in that country. He further observed that Washington intended to deploy Muslim states' forces in Iraq in order to prolong its occupation.

He described the move to invite Pakistani troops to Iraq as a 'conspiracy against Ummah', claiming that the US wanted to eliminate Muslims through their brethren. - PPI