PESHAWAR, Aug 3: Separate rallies were taken out in the provincial capital on Friday against excessive loadshedding in the country, drone attacks in Fata and atrocities against Muslims in Myanmar.
PML-Q workers from Fata demonstrated on Sher Shah Suri Road holding placards and shouting slogans against prolonged power cuts and attacks by US drones in the tribal region.
Naeemullah Naeemullah, the PML-Q, Fata general secretary, told reporters that excessive loadshedding had stressed out tribesmen.
He also said the government had failed to protect public life and property against drone attacks in Fata that were against the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
The PML-Q leader said tribesmen were peaceful and loyal to the country but the government was denying them their constitutional and legal rights.
He demanded smooth supply of electric supply and massive development schemes in Fata, and immediate halt to drone attacks.
Mr Naeemullah also complained of the killing of Muslims in Myanmar and urged rulers of Islamic countries to force Myanmar government into checking the killings without delay.
Also in the day, Jamaat-i-Islami workers staged a rally in the city to protest Myanmar killings.
Led by JI provincial chief Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, protesters marched from historical Masjid-i-Mahabat Khan to Chowk Yadagar holding banners and placards and shouting slogans against atrocities against Myanmar Muslims.
They demanded that leading Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan, take notice of the matter and ensure halt to the killing of Myanmar Muslims.
Professor Ibrahim expressed concern about the UN silence on the matter.
He demanded that Islamic countries sever diplomatic relations with Myanmar to make sure protection of the country’s Muslims.
Pasban workers, too, protested Myanmar violence at Khattak Chowk and asked Muslims all over the world to raise voice about it.
Also in the day, dozens of Christians protested against the management of the Diocese of Peshawar-Church of Pakistan’s Mission Hospital for building a commercial plaza on part of the hospital.
Protesters by Fayyaz Konal, Javed and Iqbal held the demonstration here opposite cantonment railway station.
Shouting slogans against the hospital’s management, they said the hospital was recognition of the Christian community across the province and Fata as it had been serving the poor for 100 years in Peshawar.
They appealed to the chief minister, governor and inspector general of police to help Christians restore the hospital’s property to its original shape.