BAJAUR, Oct 9: Thousands of tribal people staged a protest demonstration at the Mamond area of Bajaur Agency on Tuesday against the US aggression on Afghanistan.

The demonstration turned into a public meeting, which was addressed by leaders of different religious and political parties, including Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), Jamaat-i-Islami, National Awami Party Pakistan (NAPP), Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

According to estimates, the meeting was attended by about 50,000 tribesmen, including social and traders’ organizations and students, from across the agency.

The speakers termed the air strikes against Afghanistan naked violation of the principles of justice and said America was the major terror in the world. They likened the attack on Afghanistan to an attack on Islam.

They said that the tribesmen were prepared to wage Jihad against America and the Zionist forces, adding that 50,000 armed tribesmen would soon leave for Afghanistan to fight for Islam and Taliban.

Criticizing President Pervez Musharraf for extending support to America and facilitating the attacks on Afghanistan, the speakers said that the nation would rise against all anti-Islam forces to defend the innocent Muslims of Afghanistan. The war would only bring defeat and destruction to America, they said.

The meeting decided that peaceful processions and protest demonstrations would be organized throughout the agency to condemn the US strikes.

The speakers included: Maulana Mohammad Sadiq, Maulana Abdullah Haqqani, Maulana Hanifullah and Maulana Obaidullah of JUI; Maulana Faqir Mohammad and Maulana Liaquat of the Tehrik Nefaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi; Maulana Abdul Jabbar, Hafiz Mohammad Jan, Maulana Fazl Haq and Maulana Dost Mohammad of the Jamaat Ashaat Tawheed wa Sunnah; Sardar Khan of JI, Saeedur Rehman of PPP, Haji Hashim Khan of ANP and Bacha Gul of NAPP.

The speakers also demanded immediate release of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maulana Azam Tariq and Maulana Samiul Haq.

#DONATIONS:# Fund-raising campaigns for Taliban were launched in the agency and the tribesmen donated generously. The people donated Rs12 million, 50kg gold, 200kg silver and more than 1,000 goats to the fund.