Karachi students protest against Nato attack

Dawn.com Published December 3, 2011
The protestors organise themselves on the road outside the fortified US consulate building before they begin to march.
The protestors organise themselves on the road outside the fortified US consulate building before they begin to march.
?We want transparency and accountability of any secret or political games happening between the US and Pakistan. We want open disclosure of information of whatever is happening in the corridors of power in our country today,? said Bemisal, an International Relations student and one of the organisers.
?We want transparency and accountability of any secret or political games happening between the US and Pakistan. We want open disclosure of information of whatever is happening in the corridors of power in our country today,? said Bemisal, an International Relations student and one of the organisers.
?GO NATO GO!? shouts an angry protestor.
?GO NATO GO!? shouts an angry protestor.
Demonstrators block half the street outside the embassy, holding up an enormous Pakistani flag and passionately singing the national anthem at the top of their voices.
Demonstrators block half the street outside the embassy, holding up an enormous Pakistani flag and passionately singing the national anthem at the top of their voices.
?Our political leaders don?t visit the US as much as our military generals do, and half our budget is taken away by the army. If they can?t defend their own selves, how will they defend us?? said Muhammad Yousuf, member of ?Pakistan Awami Sangat?, a local student fraternity operating in the Korangi area to create awareness amongst the masses.
?Our political leaders don?t visit the US as much as our military generals do, and half our budget is taken away by the army. If they can?t defend their own selves, how will they defend us?? said Muhammad Yousuf, member of ?Pakistan Awami Sangat?, a local student fraternity operating in the Korangi area to create awareness amongst the masses.
Candles are lit up as dusk approaches.
Candles are lit up as dusk approaches.
More people join in the candle light vigil across the road from the US embassy.
More people join in the candle light vigil across the road from the US embassy.
Some protestors have spray-painted their demands on the sidewalk as others walk on.
Some protestors have spray-painted their demands on the sidewalk as others walk on.
Protestors lighting candles on the side of the road as the day gets darker.
Protestors lighting candles on the side of the road as the day gets darker.
More candles being lit up.
More candles being lit up.
A demonstrator holds up a hand-made banner as others participate in the vigil.
A demonstrator holds up a hand-made banner as others participate in the vigil.
A representative of the ?Pakistan Awami Sangat? wearing the colours of the national flag round his head.
A representative of the ?Pakistan Awami Sangat? wearing the colours of the national flag round his head.
Aamna, a university student and primary school teacher, lights a candle. ?We can?t just sit at home and watch the news telling us more of our people got killed again by Nato. It's time we come out on the streets and record our protests.?
Aamna, a university student and primary school teacher, lights a candle. ?We can?t just sit at home and watch the news telling us more of our people got killed again by Nato. It's time we come out on the streets and record our protests.?
Children also actively took part in the protest.
Children also actively took part in the protest.
Passionate protestors sing the national anthem on the candle-lit sidewalk, amid cries of ?Go Nato Go!?
Passionate protestors sing the national anthem on the candle-lit sidewalk, amid cries of ?Go Nato Go!?

The tragic deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers in Mohmand Agency has brought the streets a-buzz with anti-American chants and slogans, with angry citizens all over the nation protesting for their right to sovereignty.

The educated youth from seven different student organisations in Karachi held a similar demonstration on Dec 02, 2011 outside the US consulate in Karachi. Belonging to various schools and universities, the young Karachiites came together to register their protest against the deadly attacks.

With a six-point agenda handed out to the media, the young protestors demanded all Pakistani military bases helping US and Nato forces be evacuated, formal investigation be launched into the GHQ attack and Abbotabad raid, and publishing of all treaties between Pakistan and it’s allied forces from the West. - Photos by Hussain Afzal/Dawn.com Text by Sajjad Haider/Dawn.com

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Comments (3) Closed
Cyrus Howell
Dec 05, 2011 03:18am
Tell them to join the Army.
Recommend 0
Vikram
Dec 05, 2011 09:59am
First..condolences to the family of dead soldiers.. It is a sad state of affairs in Pakistan that even children are being encouraged to take a political stand at such young age. Where is Pakistan heading towards?
Recommend 0
Azam Khan
Dec 07, 2011 10:08am
Thank you for the condolence Vikram; but I don't see any children in the picture above, they look like young boys & they have a reason & a right to protest. Protesting for a wrong doing is not necessarily taking a political stand. Pakistan seems to be heading in the right direction at last. Protest but don't kill.
Recommend 0

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