KOHAT, Oct 9: The local business community on Tuesday observed a complete strike, and the Council for Defence of Pakistan and Afghanistan organized a big rally to express solidarity with the Taliban.

The rally started from the shrine of Hazrat Haji Bahadar and culminated at the Shah Faisal Gate.

The district chief of the Council for Defence of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Maulana Atta, Qari Mohammad Haidri of Sipah-i- Sahaba Pakistan, Mohammad Abid of Jamaat-i-Islami, Maulana Azizur Rehman of JUI, former MNA Javed Ibrahim and others spoke at the gathering.

They demanded an immediate halt to the US attacks, and warned the rulers of launching an agitation movement if it did not announce moral and diplomatic support for the Taliban. They termed the food air drop by the allied forces a drama, which was being simultaneously carried out with the intense bombardment of houses and civilians in Kandahar and Kabul.

They called up on President Musharraf to immediately open all borders for the Afghans who were fleeing their country due to the attacks.