RAWALPINDI, March 20: Various protest demonstrations were held against the US attack on Iraq here in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Thursday.

In the first rally, about 200 activists of Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal gathered near Marir Chowk to express their concern against US attack on innocent Iraqis. The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans condemning America and showing solidarity with the people of Iraq. They also chanted anti-US slogans and targeted its allies.

The MMA local leaders condemned the government for not openly opposing the US-led attack on Iraq. MNA Muhammad Hanif Abbasi also condemned the statement of the foreign minister. He said the US had violated all norms of human rights and democracy and attacked a Muslim country, therefore, the government should openly condemn the attack. He said the foreign minister had issued a vague and confusing statement.

“Today is a black day in the history of Muslims. The world bully has attacked a Muslim country without any justification. Everyone knows that its only purpose is to capture the oil deposits in the region and strengthen Israel,” said Mr Abbasi. He called upon the Muslims to unite in this hour of trail.

Maulana Muhammad Abbas Butt also lashed out at the US for imposing war on the innocent Muslims of Iraq.

Maulana Abdul Jalil said the US-led attack on Iraq had exposed the aggressive designs of America. “The so-called superpower doesn’t want the world to see peace. It has always pursued its imperialist policies,” he added.

Another rally was organized by the Islami Jamiat Talaba here at Committee Chowk. About 100 students of IJT participated in the rally. The protesters blocked the busiest Murree Road for about half an hour, which caused a big traffic-jam.

The students were carrying banners inscribed with anti-war slogans. They also burnt Bush in effigy and set on fire tyres. The provincial Nazim of IJT, Nasrullah Khan Sabir, general secretary Hafiz Abdul Salam and local nazim Dr Ishtiaq Arfan condemned America for its aggression against a Muslim country. Despite massive protests all over the world, the rogue America has attacked Iraq, they said. They said more protest rallies would be staged on Friday. They demanded that Prime Minister Zafrullah Jamali should cancel his US visit in protest. They also called upon the Muslim countries to announce their support to Iraq.

Meanwhile, Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal has announced to observe Friday as black day in Rawalpindi as protest against the US-led strikes on Iraq.

The central MMA leaders are expected to lead the rallies, said the MMA spokesman, Malik Muhammad Azam. The MMA has also appealed to the trader community to hold a shutter down strike in solidarity.

The main procession will be taken out from Madrassah Taleemul Quran at Raja Bazar, which would march upto Fawwara Chowk.

Later, Non-governmental organizations called upon the United Nations to urgently invoke UN resolution 377 by convening emergency session of the General Assembly as a last effort by the world to stop war against Iraqi people, said a joint statement issued at the end of a protest demonstration here on Thursday.

The demonstration, which was arranged by People’s Rights Movement, was participated by Citizen Peace Committee, Women Action Forum, Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy, Aurat Foundation and member organisations of Joint Action Committee for Citizen’s Rights.

The NGOs statement said they noted with concern and sadness that the US and UK-led coalition had rejected the peace voices of tens of million people around the world, including Pakistan and the route adopted by the UN.

The statement said: “Today a full-scale, unprovoked war and genocide was unleashed by the world’s largest military and industrial power on the long suffering, weak, helpless and innocent civilian population of Iraq.”

“The action is in violation of the UN charter, international law and the US law, all of which forbid pre-emptive war.”

The NGOs regretted that it was a failure of peace, justice, sanity, reason, civilisation and humanity. The war is the victory of injustice, hate, aggression and blatant economic and political self-interest, it said.

People’s Rights Movement, in a separate statement, said: “We demand that the government should condemn the US action and stand with those countries opposed to the war.”

The protesters marched from Liaquat Bagh Chowk to Committee Chowk, where representatives of various NGOs spoke on the occasion.

A REPORTER FROM ISLAMABAD ADDS: At least 150 schoolchildren and women staged a demonstration against the US attack on Iraq in front of the UN office here on Thursday.