ISLAMABAD, March 26: Various organizations on Wednesday organized peace rallies in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to express solidarity with the people of Iraq.

Around 300 people from the Christian community participated in a rally, led by former federal minister and convenor of Peace Education Foundation, J. Salik.

The rally started from Mr Salik’s residence and ended in front of the UN offices, Saudi-Pak Tower in Islamabad.

The participants of the rally were carrying crosses and placards inscribed with slogan for peace and against war. They demanded an end to the war in Iraq.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Salik said: “Since Jesus Christ is known as the prince of peace, the cross on which he was crucified has become a symbol of peace and sacrifice for others.

“It does not tolerate atrocities, violence and war.

“The UN Security Council should stop this war for oil and we need to pray to God for forgiveness and mercy,” he added.

He said the Christians of Pakistan ask President General Pervez Musharraf to at least condemn the killing of innocent Iraqis.

OUR STAFF REPORTER FROM RAWALPINDI ADDS: The representatives of civil society organizations, women politicians and councillors have condemned the US-led invasion in Iraq.

In a joint declaration issued after a rally held at Liaquat Bagh under the auspices of Aurat Foundation and its partner Citizens’ Action Committee here on Wednesday, they expressed their solidarity with the people of Iraq.

The rally was the part of a country-wide protest demonstrations staged by the civil society organizations and individuals against US-led attack on Iraq in all the districts of the country, simultaneously at 2pm.

The declaration said, “we condemn the US and British attack on Iraq. It is shameful that for the sake of world domination the Bush administration has rejected with contempt the principles of peace, justice and equality enshrined in the UN Charter. It has contemptuously defied international law and without cause attacked another country. The US and Britain have also defied the opinion of hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world who held demonstrations to condemn the war.”

To defy international law and mores in such a contemptuous way; the US has set a new and dangerous precedent, which it calls the “doctrine of preemptive strikes”. Under this belief, any country that feels threatened by another can be the first to attack it.

“We believe that if this doctrine of the US administration is accepted, then the world will return to the law of the jungle,” the statement said adding that any powerful country would be able to make the excuse of defending itself and impose its will on a weaker country or people.

It added the US and its allies had used most modern military technology, including weapons using depleted uranium, to indiscriminately bomb Iraq. “These tactics of shock and awe are just another part of the strategy that started with the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and is the basis of America’s foreign policy.”

The statement said this strategy had already been used in Afghanistan. “Today it is Iraq’s turn. Which country will it be tomorrow? Such barbaric acts not only cause destruction for the duration of the conflict, but also change the whole structure of society since their far-reaching consequences are passed on to future generations.”

“We demand the US and British administrations should be answerable for war crimes and brought before the International Criminal Court for this illegal aggression. We ask that those countries that initially stood against this war, should immediately call for sessions of the United National General Assembly and Security Council to bring an end to the war.”

The citizen action committee appealed to political parties, civil society organizations, media and the people to express their solidarity with the people of Iraq by:

—- Wearing a black armband, and appealing to others to do the same, for the duration of the war.

—- Collect donations in money and kind for the people of Iraq and find ways to send them to Iraq.

—- Raise their voices effectively, in every forum to bring the war to and end.

It has also appealed to the government to take steps to call a session of the United Nations to bring an immediate end to the war.

Meanwhile, students, teachers and employees of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) also staged a protest rally against US invasion of Iraq and expressed sympathies for Iraqi people.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof A.H. Nayyar of Physics department said the US attacked Iraq to protect its economic interests. Prof Nayyar also asked the students to boycott the US products.

He said that Iraq was one of the rich countries in the region before the Gulf War-I but was destroyed through sanctions and now the Americans are talking of “liberating Iraq.”

Dr Eatzaz Ahmad, the president, Academic Staff Association, said there was no doubt that the US was cruel.

He condemned the joint US-British attack on a weak country. He urged the government to take a clear stand and didn’t adopt dubious policy.