Protest rallies held in KP, Fata against drone attacks

Govt urged to revisit foreign policy, expose enemies

PESHAWAR: The members of the religio-political parties and groups staged protests in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on Friday against the US drone attacks.

In the provincial capital, Jamaatud Dawa (JUD) district president Mohammad Iqbal and Ghazi Inamullah led a protest rally to condemn the drone attacks. The protest was staged on the call of the Defense of Pakistan Council.

The protestors holding banners and placards inscribed with anti-US and anti-India slogans urged the government to expose those conspiring against the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the protesters said that the government should not remain silent over the recent agreements reached between the US and India. They said the rulers should redefine foreign policy and form an effective strategy to foil the nefarious designs of the US and India.

The speakers said that the people of Pakistan would not allow anybody to hatch conspiracies against the country and damage its nuclear programme.

The Jud leaders said that the US and Indian nexus was aimed at destabilising Pakistan and damaging its interests. They asked the government to revisit its foreign policy with the support of Muslim countries and China.

BATTAGRAM: The members of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat organised a protest rally.

Led by ASWJ provincial president Alama Atta Muhammad, the protesters asked the Pakistan Army to shoot down the drones if they violated the country’s sovereignty in future.

The protesters chanted anti-US slogans and expressed concern over the silence of the rulers.

HANGU: The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat activists blocked the Hangu-Kohat Road for an hour during a protest against the drone strikes.

Addressing the protesters ASWJ’s Mufti Imran said that the nation stood by the security forces. He said the nation was supporting the security forces in its fight against terrorism.

 KOHAT: The activists of various political parties took out a protest rally against the drone attacks. Led by Javed Ibrahim Paracha, the protesters asked the US to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan.

The Jamaatud Dawa activists also staged protest rally and blocked the Indus Highway.

 LAKKI MARWAT: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F activists held a protest demonstration in Lakki city against the recent drone attack by the US in Balochistan.

The protesters led by JUI-F district chief Maulana Abdul Rahim and Lakki tehsil chapter head Maulana Abdul Haq gathered at the Qazi

Ashfaq Shaheed Chowk.  They also carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans condemning the drone attack that killed Afghan Taliban leader Mulla Akhtar Mansour.

KARAK: The members of the JUI-F staged a protest rally. Led by district councillor and JUI-F leader Maulana Mirzaqeem, the protesters marched from the Piruddin Shah Mosque after the Friday prayer to the Saddam Chowk.

Maulana Mirzaqeem, Hafiz Zubair, Hafiz Yaseen and Shafique condemned the May 21 drone attack in which Afghan Taliban leader Mulla Akhtar Mansour was killed. They said that Pakistanis would not let the US carry out drone attacks.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: the Defense of Pakistan Council organised protest demonstrations across the district against the violation of the Pakistan’s sovereignty by the US.

The DPC leaders including Hafiz Ihsanullah, Dr Iqbal and others were holding the national flags and placards carrying slogans against the US.

Speaking on the occasion, the DPC leaders said that the US had always harmed its friends. They added that Pakistan should parts ways with the US to avoid more harm.

KHAR: The activists of religio-political parties staged the protest against the drone strikes. The leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and tribal leaders led the protest demonstrations.

The speakers said that May 21 drone strike was an attack on the country’s integrity and independence.

PARACHINAR: The tribal elders at a protest rally in Kurram Agency asked the government to take steps for protecting the sovereignty of the country.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against Israel and US, the protesters asked the countrymen to boycott US and western products.

Speaking on the occasion, Anjuman Hussainia leaders Faqir Hussain, Sher Hussain and Rauf Hussain asked the government to order the security forces to shoot down the US drones entering Pakistan.

KALAYA: Tribesmen staged a protest against the US drone strikes in Pakistan.

The tribesmen staged a rally against the drone strikes and termed it a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. They asked the international community to take notice of the situation.