HYDERABAD, March 28: An anti-war rally was brought out here after the Friday prayers here.

The protest, titled ‘Defence of Karbala Procession,’ was organized by the Islami Tehrik Pakistan.

Protesters were carrying placards against the US-led attacks on Karbala, Najaf, Baghdad and Kazmain Sharif in Iraq and were raising slogans against America, Israel, Britain and India.

They set on fire effigies of US President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

They were carrying black flags and portraits of Ayatollah Khomeini. The procession, which started from Qadamgah Maula Ali, culminated at the Hyderabad Press Club.

Allama Altaf Al-Hussaini, Shaikh Shaukat Ali of Jamaat-i-Islami, Kazim Shah Naqvi, Nizamul Haidri and others addressed the rally.

They called upon the world community to intervene to protect the sacred places and the civilian population of Iraq.

They urged the Muslim countries to stop the supply of oil to America and boycott American and British goods. They demanded of the government to strongly protest against what they described as being the American aggression and announce support for Iraq.

Activists of the Jamiat Tulba-i-Islam and the PPP-SB also staged a rally outside the local press club to condemn the US-led attack on Iraq.

The PPP-SB leaders condemned the US-led attack on Iraq, saying the UN was being held a hostage by America besides criticizing Washington’s apathy towards the terrorism of Israel and India.

Activists of Tehrik-e-Insaf, led by its provincial president Mir Haider Ali Khan Talpur, the Anjuman Ghulaman-e-Ahle Bait, Pucca Qila and the Insan Dost Tahreek Phuleli also staged protest demonstrations outside the local press club to condemn the American-led attack against Iraq. Meanwhile, students of private educational institutions also staged a rally at Auto Bahn Road.