KARACHI, Oct 23 A 'referendum' held on Friday under the auspices of the Jamaat-i-Islami rejected the Kerry-Lugar Bill, with the leaders of different political parties describing it as a threat to national solidarity and unity.

The JI set up scores of polling stations across the city where people were seen collecting slips and casting their votes after Friday prayers. The main camp was set up at the Numaish roundabout where leaders of different political parties had gathered to cast their votes.

JI deputy chief Prof Ghafoor Ahmad said the government should see the writing on the wall, as the 'referendum' had proved that people were against the Kerry-Lugar Bill.

“By rejecting the Kerry-Lugar Bill, people have endorsed that they will never accept US slavery,” he said.

Being one of the most developed countries, the US should have taken positive steps to make the world a better place to live but wrong policies of the American administration had brought a bad name to the Americans, Prof Ahmad said, asking the people of the US to compel their government to improve its foreign policies. Mohammad Hussain Mehanti said the US had paralysed the country.

Siddique Rathore said the Kerry-Lugar Bill had refreshed the memory of the East India Company.

Abdul Halim Ghauri said Pakistan which owed a debt during the Musharraf regime of around $38 billion now owed $60 billion.

Prof Shamim Akhtar said the bill would deprive Pakistan of its freedom.

Afzal Sardar and Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi also spoke.