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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Govt's talks offer shows democratic approach: Sana</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2563642/govts-talks-offer-shows-democratic-approach-sana</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2563642/govts-talks-offer-shows-democratic-approach-sana#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 25 23:30:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Our Correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2563642</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Whether opposition choose to talk or not, government would continue to fulfill all constitutional, legal requirements]]>
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				<![CDATA[Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Wednesday that the government&#39;s offer to opposition for dialogue reflects a democratic attitude and political approach.

Talking to a private news channel, he said whether the opposition choose to talk or not, the government would continue to fulfill all constitutional and legal requirements.

He added that, for PTI, assemblies were legitimate only when they were in power and they opt to dissolve assemblies or boycott the system when out of the government.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan Council plans mammoth event later this month</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1200374/stoking-controversy-dpc-plans-mammoth-event-later-month</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1200374/stoking-controversy-dpc-plans-mammoth-event-later-month#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 16 01:30:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[obaid.abbasi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1200374</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Council earlier played a crucial role in persuading the govt to revisit ties with US in 2011 following Salala incident]]>
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				<![CDATA[Despite controversy over the activities of banned organisations in the public domain, the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) is planning to hold a large scale gathering later this month.

In May this year, DPC – an alliance of various religious and political groups such as Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) – revived its activities. The council earlier played a crucial role in persuading the government to revisit ties with the United States in 2011 following the Salala incident. Talking to The Express Tribune, JuD spokesman Asif Khursheed said DPC will hold rallies in Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on October 27 and 28 to criticise Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir.

He said formal permission for the events will be obtained from Islamabad district administration a week before the public gathering. According to him, so far DPC has not received any instructions from the government to either cancel or to postpone public gatherings in light of ongoing controversy over the role of ‘non-state actors’.

When contacted, interior ministry spokesman Sarfraz Ahmed said he does not know whether the ministry will permit DPC to hold public gatherings in the capital. He said he would tell what the ministry’s exact policy in this regard is after checking with concerned officials.

ASWJ Chief Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi, meanwhile, said “protecting the country’s sovereignty is not a crime.” He claimed DPC actively started its activities after the Abbottabad and Salala incidents “when the country faced external threats and religious groups stood with thePakistan Army.”

“Whenever Pakistan Army has needed us, we came forward and defended it,” added Ludhianvi, who will participate in DPC’s gathering in Islamabad on October 27.

Responding to another question, the religious leader said that he has suspended his party’s activities while following government’s instructions. However, he criticised the government for what he believed was its reluctance in taking action against Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder Altaf Hussain, who he said “openly chanted slogans against Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League – Zia (PML-Z) chief Ejazul Haq, who actively participates in DPC gatherings, said all religious parties have a right to hold public gatherings and the government should give proof before banning any of them.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17th, 2016.]]>
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			<title>Anti-Islam film: JUI-S leader announces $200,000 bounty for filmmaker</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/445227/anti-islam-film-jui-s-leader-announces-200000-bounty-for-filmmaker</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/445227/anti-islam-film-jui-s-leader-announces-200000-bounty-for-filmmaker#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 01 Oct 12 13:31:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[manzoor.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=445227</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[JUI-S General Secretary Ikramullah Shahid announced the offer during a DPC rally in Peshawar on Monday.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A former Pakistani legislator and General Secretary Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S), Ikramullah Shahid announced a $200,000 bounty for the maker of the anti-Islam film released in the US.  

Shahid made the offer at a Difa-i-Pakistan Council (DPC) rally on Monday in Peshawar.

“We will award  $200,000 to anyone who kills the filmmaker,” he said.

This offer comes after Federal Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmed Bilour earlier offer of $100,000 bounty for the filmmaker behind the disrespectful film.

Muslims across the world have held protests, both violent and peaceful, against the film demanding Google to block the video or pull it down from YouTube altogether.

At least 23 people had died during protests in Pakistan against the film.

YouTube has been blocked in Pakistan since almost three weeks because Google refused to block the video in Pakistan.]]>
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			<title>Anti-Islam film: Seeking apology from Obama, DPC to hold rally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/443724/anti-islam-film-seeking-apology-from-obama-dpc-to-hold-rally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/443724/anti-islam-film-seeking-apology-from-obama-dpc-to-hold-rally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 12 05:33:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=443724</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Leader demands expulsion of US ambassador.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Decrying US President Barack Obama’s refusal to ban an anti-Islam film despite widespread protests, the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) has announced a long march through Peshawar on October 1 to honour Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).


Addressing a press conference, DPC media coordinator Advocate Israrullah said that so far DPC’s component parties were protesting individually. On October 1, all parties on the council will collectively observe a day to honour the Prophet (PBUH).

“About 100,000 people will take part in a march from Chamkani to Karkhano in Peshawar,” said Israrullah. All arrangements have been finalised to ensure that this march is peaceful, he added.

DPC demands an apology from the US President, a policy that outlaws blasphemy internationally, and punishment for those who sponsored the sacrilegious film, said Israrullah. He added that the US ambassador should be expelled from Pakistan till DPC’s demands were met.

“President Obama refused to ban the sacrilegious movie, while Muslims are being asked to not hold protests demonstrations. What kind of freedom of speech is this?” he questioned.

Discounting the political parties’ involvement in Ishq-e-Rasool Day riots, Israrullah said that incidents of arson, looting and killings on September 21 were engineered to reduce the effectiveness of such rallies. He also said that the day was marked by violence owing to laxity on the government’s part, and that the media only highlighted the riots without giving due coverage to protest rallies.

DPC’s rally will be lead by its central leadership including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hassan, DPC Chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiullah Haq, Jamaatud Dawa chief Professor Hafiz Saeed and Ahl-e-Sunnah wal Jamaat chief Mohammad Ahmed Ludhianvi.

The protesters will embark on their march from Jamaat-e-Islami’s provincial headquarters near Ring Road Chowk,  and will conclude at the Karakhano market near the boundary of Jamrud tehsil in Khyber Agency.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Post-blockade: Carrying on no protests, DPC appears dormant</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/420569/post-blockade-carrying-on-no-protests-dpc-appears-dormant</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/420569/post-blockade-carrying-on-no-protests-dpc-appears-dormant#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 11 Aug 12 05:40:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=420569</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sami says temporary halt in activities due to Ramazan, will resume activities in full swing after Eid.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC), a cluster of more than a dozen right-wing groups appears to have fizzled out after the government resumed Nato supplies following a seven month blockade.


However, Maulana Samiul Haq, the convener of DPC and the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) differs with the contention.

Talking to The Express Tribune from his Jamia Haqqania seminary in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sami said the temporary halt in activities was due to Ramazan and the council would resume its activities in full swing after Eid.

“You will see how we take a fresh start after Eid…our aim is to force the government to take back their decision of resuming supplies and we will achieve that,” said Haq.

He, however, appeared to have no answer when asked about the council’s plans after Eid and how it will gain momentum in its activities.

Since the blockade on Nato’s supply lines was lifted, the DPC has not taken out protest demonstrations.

Sources close to Jamaat-ud-Dawa  (JuD), a constituent group of DPC, commented that the council was a loose network of ‘like minded’ religious and political groups and has been dismantled now.

They added that there had not been any coordination among the top leaders of the council since the restoration of supply lines.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>March to Afghan border: NATO supplies haram, against sharia, says JI</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409431/difa-e-pakistan-protesters-march-towards-afghan-border</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409431/difa-e-pakistan-protesters-march-towards-afghan-border#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jul 12 06:59:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409431</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Jamaat-e-Islami leader­s blame ANP government in K-P for law and order situation. Ask army to explain excesses.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[“NATO supply is haram and against sharia, we will issue a fatwa (decree) against it,” said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) K-P Chief Prof Ibrahim declared while addressing a protest rally with thousands of determined participants who agitated against re-opening of the NATO supply in Jamrud, sub-division of Khyber Agency on Tuesday.

Addressing the gathering at Bab-e-Khyber, the historic gate which has seen armies from Central Asia march into the Subcontinent and Nato tankers crossing over into Afghanistan for the past decade, he said that if the supply was not halted, they would march towards Islamabad. He lamented that NATO jets were bombing the tribal people, while the rulers were providing security to the Nato supply.

The rulers, the JI provincial head claimed, have forgotten the unprecedented sacrifices rendered by Pakistanis, adding “it is unacceptable to us.” He said that the JI would continue its protest until the supply was halted.

Lashing out at the government, central chief of JI Sirajul Haq said that the country’s integrity has been put at stake not only by the federal but also by the provincial government as well.

He added that corruption was rampant while the Awami National Party (ANP), which is the ruling party in K-P, was acting like a sub-branch of CIA. “The ANP is responsible for all the bomb blasts in the province,” he alleged. Siraj further blamed the ANP for the anarchy in the province, saying that the provincial government had given weapons to the people and formed peace committees.

Haq said that the government had deferred the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, which would have supplemented the gas dwindling gas resources in the country to shore up electricity generation and industry, solely due to US pressure.

“We would impose Khilafat and are not afraid of any sacrifice in the way of its imposition,” he declared.

Syed Munawarul Hassan, the JI chief said that the party would struggle to unleash an Egypt-like revolution in Pakistan, adding that the JI is against the military operation anywhere in the country which forces Pakistani people to live like refugees in their own country.

“The government has snatched all the employment opportunities from the people of Swat and Buner in shape of conducting offensives,” he said.

He asked that the chief of the armed forces should tell the nation that if peace has been restored in FATA and Swat then why are security forces gunned down in various incidents. He also asked why the security officials were not letting journalists to report from these areas. “The people should know how many mothers, sisters and wives have lost their loved ones and how many people have been put in torture cells in these areas,“ he said, suggesting the armed forces have been indulging in activities beyond the purview of their duties, codes of conduct. He asked when the Bara operation against the militants would end.

Hassan appealed to the gathered participants to join hands with the JI to work for the rights of the people. “We want to change the mind, and attitude of the people if Nato and US become a hurdle, we will choose the path of peace,” he commented.

The JI chief said that US is an enemy of Pakistan and the Muslim word and, in the larger picture, an enemy of Islam.

He said, “US burns copies of the Holy Quran, makes caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Therefore, we feel that people should support the Jamaat-e-Islami in the upcoming elections and other related activities.”

Hassan said that the people’s support will help JI get elected in the coming elections and more than that, rousing a revolution. “We want a behavioural revolution – a revolution of priorities and thinking and won’t let US become a hurdle in the way of this revolution.”

A large number of JI activists participated in the protest bringing the business activities in the area to a standstill. They also blocked roads leading to Khyber Agency while several people fainted due to sunstroke.

Members of the crowd told AFP on Tuesday that Islamabad’s decision to reopen the border, despite the United States eventually apologising for the deaths, was “treason”.

“The rulers have sold their blood for US dollars but we will continue to oppose it,” said Mohammad Amin, a shopkeeper from the northwestern Swat valley, where the Pakistan Army in 2009 defeated a two-year Taliban insurgency.]]>
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			<title>DPC protest — now in Chaman</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409033/dpc-protest-%e2%80%94-now-in-chaman</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/409033/dpc-protest-%e2%80%94-now-in-chaman#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 12 18:03:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=409033</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Through sheer force of numbers, the DPC has now made itself an entity that needs to be taken seriously.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[In the wake of its long march from Lahore to Islamabad, the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) decided to repeat the trick, this time going from Quetta to Chaman to protest the reopening of supply routes. Even the leaders of the DPC must know that their protests alone will have little to no effect on the government’s decision to reopen supply routes but they must also be aware that these shows of strength are valuable in their own right. Through sheer force of numbers, the DPC, which is made up of groups that could not muster huge crowds individually, has now made itself an entity that needs to be taken seriously.

Of course, part of the reason the DPC has now become such a vital force is that it is being coddled, appeased and even supported by mainstream political parties. It comes as no surprise that religious parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam – Fazlur Rehman have extended their best wishes to this coalition of extremist groups. What is more disappointing is that even the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has shown a willingness to support the DPC, despite the presence of militant groups such as the Jamaat-ud-Dawa in leadership positions. The PTI has always insisted that its opposition to the US was principled in nature and did not imply support for militant groups. However, that claim will ring hollow so long as its representatives continue to attend DPC rallies.

The turnout at its rallies and the complete absence of action from the authorities against this coalition of militant groups would suggest that the DPC is being kept as a bargaining chip by the military establishment. Making demands of the US is a lot easier when the military can point to the supposed popularity of this anti-American force. However, the military should also be aware that such phenomena have the tendency to slip away from their masters as is evident with our jihadi non-state actors. The army thought the mujahideen of the 1980s and then the Taliban which took over in Afghanistan in the 1990s were under their control. Now, the military is being attacked by its former protégés.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Long march concerns</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407851/long-march-concerns</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/407851/long-march-concerns#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 12 17:37:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=407851</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[We may know unsavoury characters fronting DPC but we also need to investigate if establishment is working behind it.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council’s (DPC) recent long march into the capital against the resumption of Nato supplies raises two main concerns about the right wing coalition’s protest. Extremist groups have now been given cover and credibility by ostensibly mainstream parties. Along with outfits like the Jamaatud Dawa and the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat, the long march also included parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami, which have a shot at winning significant representation in parliament. Figures like Sheikh Rasheed, who have served in the National Assembly, also give a sliver of respectability to what essentially remains a fringe movement. Added to that, the PTI gave its moral support to the DPC even if it wasn’t a major part of the movement. All this makes the DPC a political force to contend with even if it is unlikely to ever amount to an electoral alliance.

Another concern raised by the long march is why it was ever allowed to be held in the first place. Many groups that comprise the DPC have been outlawed and, as such, should not be allowed to hold rallies. The double standard that was at play here cannot be overstated. Protests by the Young Doctors Association were sternly dealt with by the Punjab government, yet the federal government chose to allow groups, credibly accused of terrorism, to march unimpeded. It seems that the government is too fearful to take a stand on this issue.

We may know the unsavoury characters that front the DPC but we also need to investigate if the establishment is working behind the scenes. There are those who think that encouraging the activities of the DPC works out well for an establishment that is reliant on the US for its funding but follows what some would say is an essentially anti-American agenda. This allows it to cave in on US demands like allowing drone attacks and the supply of Nato trucks, while drumming up populist sentiment against the civilian government. This is also why the DPC cannot be written off as a coalition of marginal figures.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Anti-Nato rally: In Pindi, life comes to a halt as DPC marches on capital</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405979/anti-nato-rally-in-pindi-life-comes-to-a-halt-as-dpc-marches-on-capital</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405979/anti-nato-rally-in-pindi-life-comes-to-a-halt-as-dpc-marches-on-capital#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 12 00:51:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mudassir.raja]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=405979</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Main Benazir Bhutto Road closed to accommodate rally.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Life in the garrison city came to a standstill on Monday as the Difa-e-Pakistan Council’s (DPC) long march against reopening of Nato supply routes entered the city on its last leg. Traffic congestion was witnessed on many roads, especially in the older parts of the city around Benazir Bhutto road or formerly Murree road, through which a long caravan of the marchers passed en route its destination, the federal capital.


To provide space for the DPC marchers, the main artery of the city, Benazir Bhutto Road, was closed for vehicular traffic by 3:30pm.

As a result, unprecedented traffic mess was witnessed on other main roads, including City Saddar Road, Saidpur Road, Rawal Road and Liaqat Road.

Ambulances were seen stuck near District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) and long queues of vehicles could be seen on different roads.

“The residents of the inner parts of the city faced great problems after the traffic police put barricades on different roads leading to the Benazir Bhutto Road,” said Faisal Shami who owns a car showroom at Liaqat Road connecting Raja Bazaar with BB Road. “It was wrong on the part of police to close the main road from Marrir Chowk to Faizabad completely,” he added.

Similarly, the residents of Dhoke Chiraghdin, Dhoke Khabba and Waris Khan faced severe traffic congestion, said Chaudhry Sajid, an area resident.

As soon as the vehicular caravan of DPC reached the Kachheri Chowk on GT Road, traffic on Airport Road, the Mall and Adiala Road were stuck and the mess could not be cleared till the marchers passed through the busy intersection.

Though traffic police had announced the closure of BB Road on Sunday evening, the absence of any alternative plan led to a traffic mess on different roads in the city, said a traffic warden.

The situation could have been better if the main road was not completely closed from Marrir to Faizabad and it should only have been closed when the caravan was crossing, he added.

When contacted Chief Traffic Police Officer (CTO) Ishtiaq Shah said enough emergency arrangements were made to cope with the traffic mess, citing the slowness of the march as another reason behind the situation.

The commuters along with the locals had been told about the closure of BB Road through electronic media beforehand. Moreover, the transporters were conveyed the plan on Monday, as well, he added.

Two shifts of wardens were deputed to look after the traffic deviations.

In response to a question, the CTO said that the commuters did not have to face a lot of problems. However, some places did witness traffic jams which were due to the narrowness of the roads not the mismanagement of traffic police, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan: Right-wingers descend on capital</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406121/difa-e-pakistan-right-wingers-descend-on-capital</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406121/difa-e-pakistan-right-wingers-descend-on-capital#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 12 23:20:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[irfan.ghauri]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=406121</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Demonstrators in their thousands vow to get NATO supplies blocked.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Amid overwhelmingly heightened security measures, religious parties along with tens of thousands of right-wing supporters reached the federal capital on Monday midnight to mark the much-hyped ‘long march’ against resumption of Nato transit routes by Pakistan.


Thousands of frenzied protesters reached the federal capital in a convoy of hundreds of buses, trucks and cars, many carrying the black and white striped flags of the DPC after completing the 275-km journey from Lahore to Islamabad.

Hafiz Saeed Ahmed – head of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) which primarily sponsored and organised the march – advocated peace in the country and vowed that unless “infidels” do not launch an attack on a Muslim country, the Muslims cannot wage a war against them.

“Islam means peace. We will establish peace in the country. No Muslim can take out swords against any other Muslim. We are taught by our Prophet (PBUH) to advocate our religion with our character,” he said.

His was the most moderate speech among the leaders of the alliance who categorically emphasised on anti-US sentiments. Surprisingly there was little mention of India, contrary to a common perception of Saeed’s anti-India stance.

Saeed warned the US that if they made any attempt to launch an attack on Pakistani soil, they will face similar resistance as they had faced in Afghanistan.

The DPC had announced this “long march” to protest the government’s decision to reopen Nato supply lines. It announced to organise similar protest demonstrations in Khyber-Pakhtunkwa and Balochistan along the cities from where Nato supply routes pass.

Sharing the future strategy of the DPC to maintain pressure on the government to halt the transit supply lines, leaders announced a similar long march from July 14 to 15 from Quetta to Chaman and from Peshawar to Torkhum from July 16 to 17.

Chanting slogans against opening of Nato supply routes, the marchers followed a single route through Islamabad Expressway to Faisal Chowk leading further to Jinnah Avenue and arrived at the mouth of Parade Lane at about midnight.

After completing a journey of 36 hours on the Grand Trunk road, the participants that numbered in thousands had gathered near the Parliament House and after making speeches dispersed peacefully.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat (ASWJ), Maulna Samiul Haq’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Ansar ul Ummah, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s Awami Muslim League (AML) and other smaller groups are part of the alliance.

Speakers

Maulana Samiul Haq told the gathering that “there is a lesson for you in the struggle of the Afghan Mujahidden.” He said the Afghan Taliban had defeated the Soviet Union and now America is on the verge of collapse and by adopting their way of Jihad we can get rid of the Americans. He took jibes at parliament and said it has become a redundant platform since it has no say in decision-making.

Syed Munawwar Hassan said that a “well-cooked conspiracy” was behind the resumption of Nato supply routes and the government had failed to deliver.

(Read: Whither Difa-e-Pakistan Council)

(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY MUDASSIR RAJA IN RAWALPINDI AND UMER NANGIANA IN ISLAMABAD)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Long march over as DPC camps outside Parliament</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406065/long-march-over-as-dpc-camps-outside-parliament</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/406065/long-march-over-as-dpc-camps-outside-parliament#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jul 12 20:44:33 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Maulana Samiul Haq says theirs is not a political march, but a Jihad against those who imposed slavery upon Pakistan.]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Incensed over the government reopening Nato supply lines through Pakistan, the Defence of Pakistan Council’s long march aimed at 'ridding the country of American poseurs' reached Islamabad late on Monday evening and staged a sit-in outside the Parliament.

After entering Islamabad, the rally reached D chowk where they set up a temporary stage for DPC leaders to address the gathered crowd and fellow marchers.

Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of the Jamiat-Ulema-Islam-Sami group (JUI-S), stressed that their march was not for political reasons, rather their rally was one of Jihad against oppressors.

He said that Pakistan has become a slave to the US and the political parties bowing to imperialist demands need to be cast out.

“These rulers are viceroys of the US,” an angered Maulana Haq boomed.

“We need to free our nation. This parliament is in name only and has no power … and now the parliament is being used to undermine the Supreme Court and the judiciary, so what can you expect from this set up,” the JUI-S chief lamented.

He added that American cultural slavery has been imposed on Pakistan leading to the promotion of vulgarity in the society.

Around 15,000 protestors gathered outside the Pakistani parliament and chanted anti-US slogans, waved banners of the DPC, a coalition of right wing and hardline religious groups which organised the protest march which passed through Rawalpindi after originating in Lahore on Sunday.

After having reached its destination, the march ended, transforming itself into a protest demonstration which demanded the supply line be closed.

Islamabad had last week agreed to reopen overland routes to NATO convoys after a seven-month blockade sparked by a botched US air raid on a border post that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.]]>
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			<title>Protesting Nato supplies: Right-wing groups set out  on ‘long march’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405654/protesting-nato-supplies-right-wing-groups-set-out-on-long-march</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405654/protesting-nato-supplies-right-wing-groups-set-out-on-long-march#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 08 Jul 12 22:44:25 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Convoy of buses, trucks, cars to reach the federal capital Monday evening.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Religious groups and their right-wing supporters on Sunday began their much-hyped ‘long march’ towards Islamabad to protest the reopening of Nato transit routes by Pakistan.

Thousands of frenzied protesters joined a convoy of hundreds of buses, trucks and cars, many carrying the black and white striped flags of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), in the 275-kilometre journey from Lahore to Islamabad.

Organisers and police put different figures on the turnout.

“Some 25,000 people have joined us at the start of (the) long march and many more would join on the way, while we have 3,000 people with us who are performing security duties,” DPC spokesman Yahya Mujahid said.

Police estimated up to 8,000 people were taking part.

The participants belonged to religious parties, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Samiul Haq faction) and Jamaat-e-Islami, and controversial groups like Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) and Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ).

“This is the beginning of our struggle. We want the USA to not only leave Afghanistan, but Pakistan also,” DPC Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq, who is also chief of JUI-S, told participants before the convoy set out from Lahore’s Nasir Bagh.

“This movement will continue till the government severs all contacts with the United States and Nato,” added the Maulana. He urged people to join their long march, which was being held  at ‘God’s will’.

Maunala Samiul Haq was speaking from a stage mounted on a truck where he was joined by JI Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed and former ISI chief Lt Gen (retd) Hameed Gul.

Things got off to a bad start after Gul fainted and was driven to a hospital in an ambulance. JuD activists clashed with media persons who had filmed the incident, terming it ‘embarrassing’.

After a brief hiatus, JuD chief Hafiz Saeed addressed the protesters.

“All the people who believe that (the) US should leave Afghanistan and Pakistan should come out of their homes and join us,” he said. “Our aim is not just withdrawal of US from Afghanistan, but US stooges and slaves in Pakistan should also leave.”

On his part, JI chief Munawar Hasan urged all those who are opposed to US drone strikes and terrorism to join the march. The convoy is scheduled to reach Islamabad by Monday evening after passing through Lala Musa, Kharian, Sarai Alamgir, Jhelum, Dina, Sohawa, Gujar Khan. Hundreds of people are expected to join the rally en route.

Govt’s stance

The government says it has no intention to thwart the long march, although it intends to prevent leaders from outlawed groups from entering the federal capital.

“By allowing the DPC to hold rallies, we want to prove the government’s stance that the country’s ‘deep state’ is not involved in the DPC genesis,” said Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik.

“Individuals from banned organisations and others placed on Schedule-IV of the Anti-Terrorism Act will not be allowed to enter Islamabad,” he told reporters in Islamabad.

Authorities are installing CCTV cameras on the rally’s route, while helicopters will carry out aerial reconnaissance of the rally.

JUI-F’s statement

The Maulana Fazlur Rehman-led faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam is not part of the DPC. But he is also opposed to the reopening of the Nato transit routes.

Speaking in Peshawar, the JUI-F leader described the government’s decision to reopen Nato supply lines as ‘an insult to the nation’.

The government has ridiculed a parliamentary resolution by unblocking the routes, he added. “The US reciprocated to the Pakistani move the very next day with a double drone attack in Waziristan.”

(Read: Whither Difa-e-Pakistan Council)

(WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY OUR CORRESPONDENT IN PESHAWAR)

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Saying 'no' to NATO: DPC long march enroute to Gujranwala</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405327/saying-no-to-nato-dpc-long-march-procession-sets-off-from-lahore</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405327/saying-no-to-nato-dpc-long-march-procession-sets-off-from-lahore#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 08 Jul 12 08:58:47 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The long march will stop in Gujrat tonight, will leave for Islamabad at 10 am on Monday.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The long march against the resumption of Nato supplies through Pakistan as announced by Difa-i-Pakistan Council (DPC) started from  Lahore on Sunday and is expected to reach Islamabad tomorrow, Express News has reported.

Hundreds of cars were part of the procession.

The participants included activists from Jamatud Dawa (JuD), Ahle Sunnat Waljamat (formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba), Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI), and Jamat-e-Islami (JI).

JI’s caravan had already reached Nasir Bagh under the leadership of Amirul Azeem where JuD ‘s caravan, led by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, joined it.

JuD's caravan had proceeded from Masjid-e-Shuada where JI leader Sayed Munawar Hasan, DPC chairman Molana Samiul Haq, former ISI chief General (r) Hamid Gul, his son Abdullah Gul, Pakistan Ulema Council head Maulana Tahir Ashrafi and other leaders joined them. The leaders were mounted on a truck, which also doubled as a moveable stage.

A number of JD and Hizbul Mujahideen activists were providing security to the truck.

The leaders delivered speeches at Istanbul Chowk at The Mall in front of Town Hall.

Addressing the protesters, Maulana Samiul Haq said they were holding a long march to save Pakistan and Afghanistan from the clutches of the US, adding that their movement would continue until complete withdrawal of US forces from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He said suspension of Nato Supply is one of their goals, urging the masses to join them towards Islamabad.

Addressing the gathering, JI’s Syed Munawar Hasan said the long march was a sigh of relief for the people from the anti-people policies of the government, reiterating Haq’s stance of continuing the struggle till complete ouster of US forces from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He said the government was trying to make Pakistan a colony of the US and hence the DPC was holding the march to rid the country of this slavery, asking those, who are against drone attacks and terrorism to join the long march.

Saeed also urged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to join the DPC long march, adding that those who were not joining the DPC were part of the government and would be equally responsible for the government’s decisions, including allowing resumption of Nato supply.

The protest was welcomed by a large number of JuD supporters at Shahdara Chowk, and Muridkey. The participants are scheduled to spend the night in Gujrat.

On July 9 the long march would leave Gujrat at 10 am and would reach Islamabad on the same day through Lala Musa, Kharian, Sarai Alamgir, Jehlum, Dina, Sohawa, Gujar Khan. The leaders will decide the final venue for the march after consultation with participants from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which could be either the D ground or some ground in Aabpara.

DPC activists, media clash as Gen (r) Hamid Gul faints

During the march, there were also reports of General (R) Hamid Gul fainting at Shahdara, where he was rushed back in an ambulance, provided by Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, an offshoot of JD. Activists of JD clashed with some photographers and cameramen of different media outlets for filming the episode, terming it as embarrassing for them.

'Government will not stop DPC long march'

Senior Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik has said that the government will not stop the DPC long march, letting them to record their protest against Nato supplies resumption in front of Parliament on Monday.

“We will not stop DPC long march. By letting the DPC to hold rallies, we want to prove the government’s stance that that country’s 'deep state' is not involved in DPC's genesis,” Malik said on Sunday.

However, while briefing the media over the long march, he said that the Government would not allow leaders of banned outfits to participate in this procession.

“Individuals of banned organizations and others placed on Schedule - IV of the anti-terrorism act will not be allowed to enter into Islamabad.”

Security arrangements

Chairman National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) will install CCTV long range cameras on various commercial areas of federal capital, while Secretary Interior Sadiq-e-Akbar will monitor the proceedings of the long march and speeches by their leaders.

Islamabad police, including Frontier Constabulary and Rangers will be deployed along the route of the long march to protect the participants as well as public and private properties.

Akbar said that the DPC had ensured that the procession would remain peaceful.

Four helicopters were assigned to conduct aerial monitoring from both sides of Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad while two helicopters would also be provided to Rawalpindi police for aerial surveillance.

Eariler, speaking at the DPC All Parties Conference, Maulana Samiul Haq said that the re-opening of Nato supplies was an insult to the parliament. On behalf of the participants of the APC, he demanded that the government resign.

He said that the long march was not just against re-opening Nato supplies but also against corruption, the increase in prices and power outages. He said that drivers, conductors, helpers and mechanics of Nato containers should refuse to work on them since advancing the Nato supply was an “un-Islamic act.”

As per a media briefing by Maulana Samiul Haq, the long march is expected to reach Gujrat on Sunday  from where it will proceed towards D Ground in Islamabad in front of the Parilament House where the procession will be held.

According to Haq, this was the first phase of their protests and the second phase would hold marches from from Quetta to Chaman, Karachi to Hyderabad, Multan to Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha to Mianwali, Peshawar to Khyber Pass, Rawalpindi to Chakwal Talagang, Faisalabad to Sargodha, Khushab and Islamabad.

_____________________________________________

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			<title>Against restoring NATO supplies: DPC announces long march to parliament</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405141/against-restoring-nato-supplies-dpc-announces-long-march-to-parliament</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/405141/against-restoring-nato-supplies-dpc-announces-long-march-to-parliament#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jul 12 20:55:20 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=405141</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Samiul Haq says restoration of supplies is an ‘insult to parliament’.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The long march on Sunday (today) against the resumption of NATO supplies through Pakistan shall be a step towards ending US influence in the country, speakers at a Difa-i-Pakistan Council (DPC) meeting said on Saturday.


Addressing the DPC All Parties Conference hosted by Jamatud Dawa (JD) at a private hall with Maulana Samiul Haq in chair, they announced that arrangements had been finalised for the march which would reach Islamabad in two days.

Participants of the meeting included the heads of several religious parties, ex-ISI chief General (retd) Hameed Gul and three ex-brigadiers, Nadir Mir, Hamid Saeed and Muhammad Hanif and Awami Muslim League head Sheikh Rasheed.

In his opening speech, Maulana Samiul Haq, said that the re-opening of NATO supplies was an insult to the parliament. On behalf of the participants of the APC, he demanded that the government resign.

He said that the long march was not just against re-opening NATO supplies but also against corruption, the increase in prices and power outages. He asked drivers, conductors, helpers and mechanics of NATO containers should refuse to work on them since advancing the NATO supply was an “un-Islamic act.”

Qari Mansoor Ahmed, representative of Tehreek Ghalba-i-Islam, told the participants that stopping NATO supplies was a favour to the Taliban. “Our party is fighting against US forces in Afghanistan shoulder to shoulder with the Taliban and will do whatever it takes to ensure NATO supplies remain suspended,” he said. “It is an effective tool of jihad (just war).” He said they were aligned with the DPC in line with their chief, Maulana Abdul Jabbar’s orders.

JD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said that DPC had played a role in keeping NATO supplies suspended for eight months. He said that the DPC believed in non-violent protest and aimed at cutting off NATO supply lines. He said that they hoped to ensure the exit of US forces from the region.

He expressed his apprehension that suicide attacks would start again if the supply line is re-opened and the US stay in the region would be extended.

Introduced as a “symbol of jihad” by the stage secretary, General (retd) Hameed Gul said that the government had announced it would reopen NATO supplies under pressure.

He said that if an agriculturally rich country such as Pakistan could not uphold its sovereignty, no one in the world could do so.

“It is tragic if the decision to re-open supply lines was taken unanimously by the civil and military leadership,” he said.

He said that the supply line agreement was for an unlimited period despite the NATO announcement to leave by 2014. “Parliamentary permission will allow US forces to attack any region in Pakistan or conduct Combat Air Patrol (CAP) if its supply line is attacked,” he said.

He said that the US was attempting to divert Chinese influence away from Pakistan and de-nuclearise, de-Islamise and divide it. “The notion that NATO will not be allowed to transport ‘lethal weapons’ is strange. All weapons are lethal and used against humanity,” he said.

Munawar Hassan, chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami, said that government must act according to mandate or this movement will continue. He said that missing persons and drone attacks were the result of the US war on terror.

Sheikh Rasheed, the APML chief, said that only religious parties can take a principled stand against the US. He asked the government to step down. He also said that the Islamic faith could not be complete without believing in jihad.

Later, addressing a media briefing, Maulana Samiul Haq said they will proceed towards Islamabad through GT Road from Nasser Bagh on Sunday at 10 am. He said they would reach Gujrat on Sunday where they will spend the night. He said that they will reach D Ground Islamabad in front of the Parliament House on July 9 where they will hold a procession and deliver speeches.

He said that this was the first phase of their protests. He said that protest marches will be held on the NATO supply routes; from Quetta to Chaman, Karachi to Hyderabad, Multan to Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha to Mianwali, Peshawar to Khyber Pass, Rawalpindi to Chakwal Talagang, Faisalabad to Sargodha, Khushab and Islamabad, during the second phase of the protests.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Long march against NATO supply resumption to rid country of US forces: DPC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404966/nato-supply-resumption-difa-e-pakistan-calls-on-people-to-join-protests</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404966/nato-supply-resumption-difa-e-pakistan-calls-on-people-to-join-protests#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jul 12 09:57:41 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Long march to begin at 10am Sunday from Nasir Bagh in Lahore, will reach Islamabad on Monday.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), holding an All Parties Conference (APC) on Saturday, said that its long march against the Nato supply resumption will be a show of “Islamic force” and a step ahead to rid the country of the US forces.

The DPC leaders, speaking to the media at a private hall in Lahore, announced final arrangements of the long march, which is expected to reach Islamabad in two days. The conference was hosted by the Jamatud Dawa (JuD) and chaired by DPC chairman Maulana Samiul Haq.

While the conference was attended by several religious parties, head of Awami Muslim League Sheikh Rasheed also participated in the conference as the only politician. Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Hameed Gul and three former brigadiers, Nadir Mir, Hamid Saeed and Muhammad Hanif, were also present at the event.

The DPC chairman termed the supply resumption as an “insult to the Parliament for not keeping in view its recommendations”. On behalf of the APC participants, he demanded that the government step down.

JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed boasted that the DPC had a great role in the prolonged suspension of the Nato supply routes after the Salala incident, and added that the party will cleanse the region of the US forces once and for all. “I have apprehensions that if the Nato supply route is reopened, suicide attacks would start again and the US would make it a plea to prolong its stay in the region.”

Former ISI chief Hameed Gul added that the opening of supply routes would give America the power to attack any area of Pakistan in return for any damage to its material. The presence of the US is to keep China away from Pakistan, de-nuclearise, de-militarise and divide it, he added.

On the other hand, the leader of a DPC member party Tehreek Ghalba-e-Islam, Qari Mansoor Ahmed said that the blockade of Nato supplies would be a “real step to favour the Taliban”, and added that his party is fighting along the Taliban in Afghanistan against the US forces. “Cutting the supply line is an effective tool of jihad which we must attain.”

Haq, giving the details of the long march, said that they would proceed towards Islamabad through GT Road, starting from Nasir Bagh, Lahore, on Sunday at 10am. On Sunday night, the rally will reach Gujrat and would reach D Ground in Islamabad on July 9.

The DPC had also called Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) to the APC, but they all refused the invitation.]]>
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			<title>Show of Unity: PTI leaders attend DPC and JUD protests</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404884/show-of-unity-pti-leaders-attend-dpc-and-jud-protests</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404884/show-of-unity-pti-leaders-attend-dpc-and-jud-protests#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jul 12 04:36:15 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Multan protests were led by PTI leader Tariq Naeemullah.]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders joined protests on Friday organised against the government by religious parties all over Pakistan against the reopening of Nato supply routes.


PTI members directly participated in the protests and demonstrations of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JUD)and Difa-e-Pakistan (DPC) against the reopening of Nato supply routes.

The Multan protests were led by PTI leader Tariq Naeemullah. His presence attracted other members of PTI to the protests. They demanded that the government address the issue of drone attacks as they are disastrous for the sovereignty of Pakistan.

The demonstrations began after Friday prayers, which were marking Black Friday all over Pakistan.

“I will move with the long march in the interest of the country, as this is the only solution to topple this government,” said Tariq Naeemullah. “We want Imran Khan to join us in this long march to get rid of this government.”


Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>JuD gives up on long march, will hold protests on June 1</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384743/jud-gives-up-on-long-march-will-hold-protests-on-june-1</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384743/jud-gives-up-on-long-march-will-hold-protests-on-june-1#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 May 12 23:20:44 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=384743</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The council will hold a ‘workers convention’ today.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council announced that it would focus on protests instead of organising a long march, as it had earlier planned. 

The announcement came on Saturday after leaders of the major parties in the council attended a meeting. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Munawwar Hasan, secretary-general Liaquat Baloch, Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi were among those present on the occasion.

JI chief Hasan announced that the council would hold a “grand workers’ convention” on Sunday in Karachi, where “workers could directly hear the future strategy from their leadership.” The council was committed to opposing the reopening of the Nato supply routes. It would organise protests in front of district headquarter offices across the country on June 1. Hasan said these protests would be peaceful as “we are a peaceful people and believe in the supremacy of the law and the constitution.”


Hafiz Saeed said that the council had decided to “use the weapon of the long march when it was needed.” He claimed that Pakistan was already becoming “more independent” when it came to defending its stand on various issues. As an example, he said, “Pakistan has taken a strong stance in Dr Shakil Afridi’s case.” Dr Afridi was sentenced by a court operating under the Frontier Crime Regulations for treason after he was accused of spying for the Central Intelligence Agency to locate Osama bin Laden.

Saeed added that they would not allow Pakistan to become “India’s marketplace,” and that India was working with the United States to scale up its hostility against Pakistan. He opposed the release of Surjeet Singh, an Indian national, who has been in prison for 30 years on charges of spying on Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>DPC protests against likely resumption of Nato supplies</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384131/dpc-protests-against-likely-resumption-of-nato-supplies</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384131/dpc-protests-against-likely-resumption-of-nato-supplies#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 25 May 12 14:44:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=384131</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Protests were held in Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur and other areas on Friday.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), a joint platform of various religious and political parties, staged protest demonstrations and rallies in Karachi and parts of Sindh province on Friday against the likely resumption of Nato supply routes, and resolved to strongly oppose any such move by the government.

Speaking to a rally in Karachi, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chapter chief Muhammad Hussain Mehanti said the government’s plan to restore Nato supplies was against the will of people. He warned of strong protests and a ‘long march’ if the government caved in to US requests.

Participants of the rally were holding placards and banners inscribed with anti-US slogans.

Mehanti charged that the US had become a big threat for the security of the region, especially as it has turned a peaceful Afghanistan into a battlefield.

Protest rallies were also taken out in other cities and towns including Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Larkana and Sukkur after Friday prayers.

Protest rallies were also staged in Lahore, where the founder of now defunct Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and  the charity Jamaatud Dawa addressed a crowd.

Protest leaders also expressed their grave concern on missing Nato containers in Pakistan. They suspected that these containers of arms were now in the possession of criminals and are being used in Karachi and Balochsitan by anti-social elements.

View pictures of the protests here.]]>
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			<title>Saddle up, the DPC long march starts on May 27</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/382111/saddle-up-the-dpc-long-march-starts-on-may-27</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/382111/saddle-up-the-dpc-long-march-starts-on-may-27#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 12 17:43:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=382111</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DPC to commence march to Islamabad on May 27 to protest against possible resumption of Nato supply route.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council has announced its schedule for a countrywide ‘long march’ against the possible resumption of Nato supplies.

The schedule was worked out by the organising committee of DPC in its meeting held at Mansoora on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Liaquat Baloch.

According to the programme, the ‘long march’ will start from Karachi on May 27 and reach Islamabad on June 6.

According to the schedule, the march will begin from Quaid’s mausoleum in Karachi, on May 27, after afternoon prayers and reach Hyderabad the same evening. They would then march on, making stops at Sukkur, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Sahiwal before reaching Lahore on June 2.

The participants of the march would stay in Punjab’s provincial capital on June 3, before resuming their journey to Islamabad via Gujranwala, Jhelum, finally reaching the federal capital on June 6.

The DPC were hopeful that people in different cities and towns along their route would welcome the marchers, and even join them.

The organising committee includes Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Maulana Amir Hamza, Qari Zawar Bahadur, Maulana Abdur Rauf Farooqi, Allama Shamsur Rahman, Moawya, Qari Mansoor Ahmed and others.]]>
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			<title>NATO supplies: Difa-e-Pakistan Council announces long march</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381560/nato-supplies-difa-e-pakistan-council-announces-long-march</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381560/nato-supplies-difa-e-pakistan-council-announces-long-march#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 May 12 04:16:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=381560</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Leaders say criminal prime minister has no right to make decisions on national security.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) has announced that it will launch a long march from Karachi to Islamabad and a country-wide protest on Friday, to lobby against any resumption of Nato supplies.


The leaders of parties that make the DPC, in their joint press conference at the conclusion of their meeting at Mansoora in Lahore, announced that the council will also stage protests in Chaman, Torkham and other areas along the Nato supply routes.

They said Americans were killers of millions of Muslims and supply of even a single grain of wheat to them was against being a Muslim.

They said that they had also invited Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan and Maulana Fazlur Rehman to the meeting and asked them to support in its struggle as resumption of Nato supplies is tantamount to extending America’s stay in this area for another 10 years. They said it is sad that these leaders did not attend the DPC meeting’.

The DPC leaders said that criminal prime minister and a non-constitutional cabinet has no right to make decisions on national security and sovereignty. Making friends with Indians was like betraying the Kashmiri’s struggle for freedom and the military leadership should take a courageous stand.

They said that on the 25 May, protest rallies and demonstrations will be held at various cities. They said that religious scholars will speak against the conspiracies being hatched against Islam and Pakistan in their Friday sermons.

Meanwhile, a 10-member committee headed by Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Liaquat Baloch, has been set up to look in to the arrangements for the long march, which had a meeting and set up various committees to look in to the issues like finance, media, logistic, security, medical, and transport.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>NATO supply restoration: DPC to march from Karachi to Islamabad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381274/nato-supply-restoration-dpc-to-march-from-karachi-to-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381274/nato-supply-restoration-dpc-to-march-from-karachi-to-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 May 12 14:08:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=381274</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Difa-e-Pakistan Council announces marching towards Islamabad starting May 27.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) will march from Karachi towards Islamabad on May 27 against the government’s likely decision to reopen supply routes for Nato forces in Afghanistan.

The announcement came after a meeting of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council was held under Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam (JUI-S) Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq at the Jamaat-e-Islami Headquarter at Mansoora on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference, Haq said the council had decided to start a march against the reopening of Nato supply routes from the country.

“The march will start from Karachi on May 27, and after passing through various cities it will culminate in Islamabad,” he added.

He maintained that it would be a peaceful march in which people from all over the country would take part to voice the sovereignty of the country.

Protests will be staged all over the country on Friday against the government’s move to reopen Nato supply routes, he added.]]>
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			<title>DPC vows to stand firm against resumption of Nato supplies</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/365372/dpc-vows-to-stand-firm-against-resumption-of-nato-supplies</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/365372/dpc-vows-to-stand-firm-against-resumption-of-nato-supplies#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 15 Apr 12 20:38:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[umer.farooq]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=365372</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hafiz Saeed says India, west are responsible for the security problems in Balochistan and Gilgit- Baltistan.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) has vowed to stand firm against resumption of Nato supplies to Afghanistan.  

At a rally in Peshawar attended by nearly 12,000 people, the DPC, a coalition of 42 religious and political parties, presented its 10-point manifesto. The council’s primary demand is that Nato supplies are not resumed and US and Nato forces from all Pakistani airbases are evacuated.

DPC activists have vowed to not allow a single container to reach Afghanistan via Pakistan.

The manifesto also includes a message to secular elements, to not become supportive of “unislamic” forces. An end to drone strikes and support of the Afghan Taliban and the freedom struggle in Indian Kashmir are also part of the said points.

Chairman DPC Maulana Samiulhaq said that despite a unanimous resolution by Parliament to condemn drone attacks, the US airstrikes had continued unabated.

Hafiz Saeed, chief of Jamat-u-Dawa, said India and the west were responsible for the security problems in Balochistan and Gilgit- Baltistan.

“Western allies are facing severe resistance from Taliban in Afghanistan. The US and its allies blame Pakistan for their defeat and in revenge have fuelled violence in Gilgit -Baltistan and are aiding separatists in Balochistan,” Saeed said.

“We will not hesitate to take any measure against the resumption of Nato supplies,” said Maulana Muhammad Ahmad Lodhyanvi. “When the US came to know that the DPC was the only hurdle in resuming Nato supplies, they started plotting conspiracies and announced a US$10 million bounty for Hafiz Saeed.”

President Muslim Conference and former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Attiqur Rehman said Pakistan is confronted with both internal and external challenges. He expressed his concerns about Kashmir being ignored in President Asif Ali Zardari’s speech to the joint session of Parliament.]]>
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			<title>NATO supply resumption: Miffed Difa-e-Pakistan stages motorbike rally in Peshawar</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/364223/miffed-difa-e-pakistan-stages-motorbike-rally-in-peshawar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/364223/miffed-difa-e-pakistan-stages-motorbike-rally-in-peshawar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 12 15:32:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=364223</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Organisers say all set for DPC’s rally on Sunday against govt's decision to reopen Nato routes.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) is all prepared to hold a public gathering on Peshawar this Sunday, organisers have said as the group staged a motorcycle rally in the metropolis on Friday.

“Leaders of DPC member parties will be reaching Peshawar soon and thousands of workers from various religious and political parties from across the province will participate in the rally,” Israrullah, Jamaat-e-Islami’s (JI) provincial spokesperson and chairperson of DPC’s media committee, told a small number of supporters who had gathered at the Peshawar Press Club.

Criticising the government for deciding to reopen Nato supply routes, Israr said that the DPC meeting will finalise its course of action against the decision. “The government must avoid cooperating with the US in the killing of Afghan Muslims.”

Meanwhile, soon after Friday prayers, DPC activists participated in a motorcycle rally that culminated at University Road, after going around the city.

The rally was led by leaders of DPC member parties, including central secretary general of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Hussain Ahmad Dallo, provincial leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Samiul Haq (JUI-S) Maulana Syed Yousaf Shah and Jamaatud Dawa’s Ghazi Abu Talha.]]>
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			<title>Nato Supply Routes: DPC chairman stands firm against reopening routes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/364015/nato-supply-routes-dpc-chairman-stands-firm-against-reopening-routes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/364015/nato-supply-routes-dpc-chairman-stands-firm-against-reopening-routes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 13 Apr 12 03:46:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=364015</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Maulana Samiul Haq says that reopening NATO supply route may lead to a US attack on Pakistan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[“You want to feed them so they grow stronger and attack us?” asked Maulana Samiul Haq, Chairman of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), in reference to reopening  Nato supply routes.

The comments came during a press conference with Jamaat-e-Islami’s provincial chief Professor Ibrahim at the Markaz-e-Islami. Haq said that the DPC is standing firm against reopening the Nato supply routes and added that parliament’s decision to reopen the routes will not be an easy decision to make.

Haq said that the timing of the upcoming DPC rally in Peshawar on April 15 was of utmost importance but “Peshawar’s rally is more important than those held in Karachi and Lahore because it is an area that is directly affected by the Nato supply line,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan Council calls on Zardari to cancel India visit</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/360096/difa-e-pakistan-council-calls-on-zardari-to-cancel-india-visit</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/360096/difa-e-pakistan-council-calls-on-zardari-to-cancel-india-visit#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 12 13:32:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=360096</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DPC leaders say US announced bounty on Hafiz Saeed as a pressure tactic to get NATO supply routes reopened.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Following up to Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed’s press conference on the $10 million United States (US) bounty on his head, the Difa-e-Pakistan Council on Thursday asked President Asif Ali Zardari to cancel his trip to India. The council said that India was not sending its hockey team to Pakistan and the president was going there.

Zardari plans to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over lunch on April 8 before making a private visit to the famous 13th century Sufi shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer.

Representatives of all 14 parties of the DPC were addressing a press conference in Lahore, where they announced all rallies and programs will carry on as planned and there would be no change. The council has announced a day of protest for tomorrow (Friday).

The representatives said that all parties were together and nobody was going to back down. “America should not think about it.”

The DPC leaders said that the United States had announced the bounty as a pressure tactic to get NATO supply routes reopened. They announced that moving international courts is under consideration, but the council will first move local courts that this act is interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

They said that America’s decision was  an act of disrespecting the local courts and called on the government not come under any international pressure.

“Hafiz Saeed and Abdul Rehman Makki are citizens of Pakistan, their protection is the government’s responsibility.”

Lashing out at the US, DPC leaders said that the country was pleasing Israel and India by conducting drone attacks and Abbottabad-style raids in Pakistan.

They called on the US to bring proof regarding their allegations against Hafiz Saeed and added that he was willing to come to any local court.

The media talk was headed by Tehrik-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool leader Maulana Ameer Hamza. Others present included Pakistan Ulema Council chairman Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Mian Abdul Qadeer, JUI – Samiullah leader Asif Makhdoom, Dr Farid Parachi of the Jamaat-e-Islami, JUI – F leader Chaudhry Muhammad Abu Bakr and members of the Tanzeem-e-Islami.

The US recently announced a reward worth $10 million for the capture or any information leading to the capture of Saeed, making him one of the most wanted persons in the world.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan’s so-called banned organisations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/349470/pakistans-so-called-banned-organisations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/349470/pakistans-so-called-banned-organisations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 12 18:41:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=349470</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[These organisations have reinvented themselves as welfare organisations, relying on their rural outreach.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on March 12 that banned terrorist organisations stood a chance of restoration to normal status if they “closed down their militant wings”. He said: “We have been contacted by several banned organisations that want to sit and talk. If they want to give up militancy we will talk to them as we are revising the list of proscribed organisations.” He did not mention the names of the banned organisations numbering 30, including al Qaeda, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). One doesn’t know how the minister categorises the terrorists of Pakistan, but going by public perception, the banned or semi-banned or vaguely-banned outfits are busy displaying muscle in the country, rather than abjuring violence, negating the impression that they are banned in the first place.

Which outfits are in dialogue with Mr Malik one doesn’t know. To what extent they are ready to forswear their extremism and violent ways, one doesn’t know either. To build a platform for dialogue of any sort, Mr Malik has to see to it that the ban placed on them is real: that means their leaders are put under arrest and their assets sealed pending trial. Does the state know who among the 40 outfits represented in the Difa-e-Pakistan (Defence of Pakistan) movement are banned? Comment has been made about the presence of terrorists in the Difa rallies — as their attendance has been recorded by the press.

In 2010, international opinion noted that Pakistan had banned the LeT in January 2002, and its successor front group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) a month after the November 2008 suicide terror assault on Mumbai. Several years ago, its leader Hafiz Saeed, was placed under house arrest but was freed by the Lahore High Court, which said there was no evidence that he was involved in any wrongdoing. After that, the court had ruled that the government had never formally prohibited the JuD. The government, thereafter, took the case to the Supreme Court in appeal. Some observers in Pakistan think that the government was never keen in pursuing the case against Hafiz Saeed. Internationally, the JuD is constantly linked to terrorism staged in Afghanistan on behalf of al Qaeda.

The front runners in the Difa rallies are the JuD and Sipah-e-Sahaba. The latter was among the first outfits to be banned after the wave of sectarian violence hit its high watermark after 2001. Despite the ban, its leader late Maulana Azam Tariq was ‘mistakenly’ elected to the National Assembly in 2002. Today, it is renamed as Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) and its leader, Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi declares that his party is not banned on the strength of some inconclusive judicial process. The blanket imprimatur of Difa rallies made it possible for the ASWJ to make a comeback and seal their growing presence in south Punjab. It is often said by political commentators that PML-N’s new strategy of confronting the PPP in the south of the province is hinged on its understanding with the old Sipah elements now in the field as Ahle Sunnat. The scene became complicated after Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi, of the old Sipah-e-Sahaba, pledged to back Pakistan’s army chief: “Because of threats from America and conspiracies against Pakistan, I promise to give General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani 100,000 of our followers as fighters.”

The banned publications — daily newspapers and weeklies — are in the market carrying messages that politicians and media-men read carefully for signs of personal warning to avoid being assassinated. Banned jihadi trusts are functional in small cities, doling out funds to promote the cause of jihad, including funding of hate literature. Meanwhile, these organisations have reinvented themselves as welfare organisations, relying on their rural outreach to gather funds and replace the state to come to the help of the masses during natural calamities.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan rally: Baloch promised rights, succession ruled out</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347840/difa-e-pakistan-rally-baloch-promised-rights-succession-ruled-out</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347840/difa-e-pakistan-rally-baloch-promised-rights-succession-ruled-out#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 12 21:44:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rana.tanveer]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=347840</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[About 1,000 walk from Chauburji to Lahore Press Club.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) on Friday assured the Baloch of its support. ButIts leaders also accused India and America of being part of a conspiracy to destabilise Balochistan.


The leaders, including Jamaatud Dawa head Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, were addressing a rally Yakjehti-e-Balochistan Karwan, organised by the banned outfit, at the DPC’s call.

Among other speakers were: Ahle Sunnat Waljamat (formerly Sipah-i-Sahaba) Punjab president Maulana Shamsur Rehman, Jamat-i-Islami leader Ameerul Azeem, JD information secretary Hafiz Masood, Jamaat Ahle Hadith’s Hafiz Abdul Ghaffar Ropari, Jamiat Mushaikh Ahle Sunnat president Pir Saifullah Khalid, Awami Muslim (AML) League Lahore president Mian Qadeer and Pakistan Ulema Council head Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi.

The speakers addressed about 1,000 protesters, mostly from JD, who walked from Markaz Qudsia, Chauburji to the Press Club.

Hafiz Saeed termed the separatist movement in Balochistan “a conspiracy hatched by India and America for their selfish interests”. “[But] we are with the Baloch and want that they be given their rights. We will fight for them,” he said.

Maulana Shamasur Rehman also assured the Baloch of “Punjab’s support”. Mian Qadeer of AML, said that the Balochistan issue would be resolved in no time if the party came into power.

Hafiz Abdul Ghaffar Ropari warned the PPP-led government against creating a 1971-like situation, a reference to the break up of Pakistan. He demanded that the government fulfill the demands of the Baloch, adding that they would fight for rights of people in Balochistan.

Amirul Azeem described all talk about separation as “Indian conspiracy”. Although injustices have been committed and various military operations launched, he said, no Baloch wanted to break away from Pakistan.

Tahir Ashrafi, while demanding that the Baloch be given their rights, said that Bramdagh Bugti and Harbiyar would be welcomed if they returned as Pakistanis. “But if they act like Indian or US pawns they will be treated like enemies,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan: Peshawar rally demands release of missing persons</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347689/difa-e-pakistan-small-rallies-start-convening-in-peshawar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/347689/difa-e-pakistan-small-rallies-start-convening-in-peshawar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 12 10:30:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[manzoor.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=347689</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speakers focus on missing persons in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, demands release through resolution.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) held a rally in Peshawar on Friday, demanding the immediate release of missing persons in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Ismail Darvesh of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam - Fazl (JUI-F)  and Jamaatud Dawa leaders also addressed the rally. They termed the unrest in Balochistan an international conspiracy against Pakistan and stated that the DPC will not allow this to continue.

The rallydemanded the immediate release of missing persons through a resolution and said that those in the custody of the military and in jails should be released. Their emphasis regarding missing persons focused on those in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

It also demanded an end to military operations.

Earlier, small rallies from across Peshawar had convened at Chowk Yadgar for the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) rally and later moved to Chowk Shaheedan, where the rally is being conducted.

The first group to arrive belonged to Millat Islamia and was left by Divisional Ameer Tariq Haideri. Around 100 protestors were part of the group that had left Madrassa Khulafa Rasheeden Pipal Mandi. Another group of around 60 people from Nowshera led by Maulana Syed Yousaf also joined the gathering.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) activists numbering around 80-100 also joined the rally.

Background

Difa-e-Pakistan Council is a coalition of over 40 religious and political parties that has been vocally demanding the government to keep Nato supply routes closed and withdraw its decision to grant India the status of most-favoured nation.

The first DPC rally was held in Lahore and was organised by Jamatud Dawa (JuD), whose leadership is in charge of coordination and communication between all members of the group. Rallies have also been organised in Karachi and Rawalpindi.

Calling for the Nato supply routes to stay closed, the DPC has several times, in their past rallies, threatened to besiege the parliament in case the government decides to reopen the routes.

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[poll id="684"]]]>
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			<title>Peshawar civil society demands ban on Difa-e-Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346208/peshawar-civil-society-demands-ban-on-difa-e-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346208/peshawar-civil-society-demands-ban-on-difa-e-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 12 10:03:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[iftikhar.firdous]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=346208</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Speakers at the protest say 'Hamid Gul and his partners responsible for the massacre of three million people.']]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Civil society in Peshawar took to the streets on Tuesday to protest against the Difa-e-Pakistan Council, demanding that a ban be imposed and the council be held responsible for the death of three million people.

“Hamid Gul and his partners are responsible for the massacre of three million people, in particular the Pashtuns,” said Idrees Kamal, convener of the Aman Tehreek – a conglomerate body of civil society. Kamal was speaking during a protest organised in the Hashtnagri area of Peshawar.

The Difa-e-Pakistan rally to be held in Peshawar on March 18 has caused a stir in the city.

“Previously the council gathered under the name of Difa-e-Afghanistan and Islam, killing thousands of innocent people. Now they have once against gathered to do so,” said speakers at the protest.

Protestors demanded that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry should intervene and impose a ban on the rally. They also said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti should not allow the council to hold a rally in the city.

The protest had been organised despite security threats and was attended by people from all walks of life.

Background

Difa-e-Pakistan Council is a coalition of over 40 religious and political parties that has been vocally demanding the government to keep Nato supply routes closed and withdraw its decision to grant India the status of most-favoured nation.

The first DPC rally was held in Lahore and was organised by Jamatud Dawa (JuD), whose leadership is in charge of coordination and communication between all members of the group. Rallies have also been organised in Karachi and Rawalpindi.

Calling for the Nato supply routes to stay closed, the DPC has several times, in their past rallies, threatened to besiege the parliament in case the government decides to reopen the routes.]]>
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			<title>Paradigm shift: In political vacuum, JI stands at crossroads</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342300/paradigm-shift-in-political-vacuum-ji-stands-at-crossroads</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/342300/paradigm-shift-in-political-vacuum-ji-stands-at-crossroads#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 12 01:37:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=342300</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Party struggles with its past while facing the brunt of intelligence agencies.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Even though the February 12 Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) rally in Karachi was organised by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the ground was predominantly filled with Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) and Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) supporters.

Unexpectedly, JI’s green-and-blue flags were few and far between and the loudest cheers were for ASWJ leaders.

As supporters chanted “al jihad, al jihad”, JI workers tried to control the crowds — unsuccessfully.

The schism at the DPC rally elucidates the crisis faced by the JI. Once the country’s most prominent religious-political party, the JI has been overshadowed by militant groups offering a shot at participating in jihad against the US from the tribal areas.

Others, such as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, let anti-US protesters participate in apparent blockades of Nato supply routes.

JI, on the other hand, does not offer jihad or an electoral alternative since it boycotted the 2008 elections. To boot, it has faced a split in its powerful student wing, the Islami Jamiat Taleba (IJT).

According to a report released by the former chief of the Special Investigation Unit SSP Raja Umar Khattab last January, arrested militants told an interrogation team that some IJT activists from Karachi University (KU) formed a dissident group in 2007 and named it Punjabi Mujahideen after the IJT expelled them.

They had developed differences with the IJT’s ‘moderate policies’ and the stance of the JI in general, and were more inspired by Dr Arshad Waheed, who was deputed as the chief of al Qaeda’s youth wing in Waziristan.

Dr Waheed belonged to a family of JI supporters and was convicted of providing support to Jundullah. After his release, he relocated to South Waziristan and was killed in a drone strike in 2008.

The report stated that the suspects were former IJT activists from KU who left for Waziristan without completing their education.

JI’s real stance

JI’s official stance is that its members cannot act against the state.  “We do not support jihad until all of its parameters have been fulfilled,” says JI spokesperson Sarfaraz Ahmed. According to JI’s Karachi General Secretary Naseem Siddiqui, “If anyone claims to be a supporter of JI and then, [going] against the policy of JI, finds picking up weapons is the solution, he is responsible for his own actions.”

Tufts University professor Vali Nasr and the author of The Vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: the Jamaat-e-Islami of Pakistan, said this is a dilemma Maulana Maudoodi had spoken about a long time ago, “that jihad can only be declared by a proper Islamic authority in an Islamic state.”

This responsibility was delegated to the state in the 1980s during the war in Afghanistan, “because the state (led by late General Ziaul Haq) was considered Islamic enough”. “Now the current government, which they see is becoming more liberal, or President Asif Ali Zardari, cannot be considered an Islamic authority,” Nasr says. “There is pressure from the rank and file and competition with radical groups and they have no doctrine for this.”

Role of the spy agencies 

JI spokesperson Ahmed blames intelligence agencies for their ‘confused’ policy and attempts to force a divide within the JI. “The way the Pakistani military has supported insurgents, they also want us to have a group that they can use.”

The dilemma faced by the JI is that if it advocated fighting against the Soviets in the 1980s, why can its members not fight against the US or its ally – Pakistan. Its Al Badr paramilitary unit fought against the Mukhti Bahini in 1971 and its members participated in the Afghan war.

Even though it “closed that chapter” with the end of the war, its members could not as easily do the same. This sense resurfaced when General (retd) Pervez Musharraf announced support for the US-led war in Afghanistan. “The entire country cannot take a u-turn,” Ahmed says.

Siddiqui explains this U-turn with the example of the Lal Masjid operation, “which brought the war inside our own country”.

“We have been criticising this u-turn by all possible democratic means because we do not want our security agencies to kill, abduct and brutally torture our own people,” he adds.

“We do not want people to pick up guns against its security agencies as a reaction.”

(Read: For the greater glory)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>For the greater glory</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341266/for-the-greater-glory</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341266/for-the-greater-glory#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 12 17:32:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[salman.rashid]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=341266</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Though Hamid Gul has recanted, in falsifying Malik Ishaq's presence, he thought it was for greater glory of religion.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Hamid Gul has recanted. But when he falsified concerning the presence or otherwise of a terrorist leader at some rally, he had no compunction. The man thought he was doing this for the greater glory of religion.

I have heard dozens of tales as spun by those of this breed who have no qualms prevaricating. Sample a couple.

About 12 years ago, I met in Peshawar the master of the post office at, if memory serves, Michni. He was not bearded but he introduced himself as a surgaram rukn of the Jamaat-e-Islami. Having waxed eloquent on the many achievements of his political party, he launched on a tirade against the West that was out to destroy us Muslims in tandem with the vicious lobby of the Hunood-o-Yuhood (Hindu-Jewish).

An argument followed and, to illustrate the forces in action against Islam, he quoted a story from a ‘digest’. On questioning, the digest turned out to be the organ of the Jamaat. The following, he said, was from this digest. Blinded by its anti-Islam hatred, the West had created the falsehood of the first heavier-than-air flying machine being invented in America. It was, in fact, designed and invented by an Egyptian Muslim.

Abu Musa, a bicycle repairman practiced his trade in Cairo, so it was reported in the digest. This genius of a man had drawn a detailed blueprint of a powered flying machine but, unable to finance its building, was at a loss to take the project any farther. Now, about that time, there lived somewhere in the US two brothers, “evil Christians or perhaps Jews”, who somehow got wind of this magical machine that they or anyone in the sinful and malicious West were incapable of conceiving.

Travelling to Cairo, the diabolical brothers sought out Abu Musa, the Muslim technician and requested for an apprenticeship to learn the art of the vulcanising bicycle tyres. And then one day, they stole the blueprints and made off to Kitty Hawk, where on a cold and windy December day in 1903, the brothers — Wilbur and Orville Wright, bloody fraudsters — flew the world’s first aircraft.

The other story is about Hazrat Musa (AS) and Aristotle as told by another pious and bearded man in the presence of several older gentlemen of similar countenance. It was not revealed where this particular story had been gleaned. The philosopher said to the prophet that he was so smart he could outwit God and his angels and that when his time was up, the Angel of Death will not be able to claim his soul.

And so when the day neared, Aristotle created two dozen statues in his exact likeness and in identical poses. He then placed himself in their midst so that no mortal could tell the sculptor from the sculptures. There came the Angel of Death to take the heathen soul and at a complete loss stood scratching his chin. But guided by God, the angel hit upon an idea. He called out aloud, “Ah, so Aristotle thinks himself a great mind. He may well be, but he has made one mistake and I know the real him.”

“What mistake could I have possibly made?” cried out the indignant philosopher. And so the Angel of Death who until then had not zeroed in on the real Aristotle and may never have discovered him — so it was implied — grabbed the man by the throat and took his accursed soul straight to the eternal fires of hell.

As the man finished his tale, a round of breathy prayer and adulation went up. At least, one elderly man in the company claimed to be a writer, but no one asked how Hazrat Musa (AS) and Aristotle came to share the same time in history. The former is believed to have lived about 1400 BCE and the latter in the 4th century BCE. But for those who wished to assign greater glory, even if supposititious, to their belief this was irrelevant.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Show of force: Streets of the capital play host to banned outfits</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339488/show-of-force-streets-of-the-capital-play-host-to-banned-outfits</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339488/show-of-force-streets-of-the-capital-play-host-to-banned-outfits#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 12 05:00:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[peer.muhammad]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=339488</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council announces All Parties Conference in Quetta on Feb 29.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Thousands of Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) supporters poured onto the otherwise highly secured streets of the nation’s capital on Monday, as leaders of banned organisations expressed their firm resolve to continue their struggle until US intervention in the country’s internal affairs had come to a halt.


It was the latest show of force by the council, which is a rainbow coalition of around 40 parties that include organisations blacklisted at home and abroad as terror groups. The alliance had chosen Aabpara Chowk, just a few kilometres away from the US Embassy in Islamabad, and a short distance away from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) head office, to organise a sit-in.

“Today, we have gathered here to raise a voice of protest against US intervention in Pakistan,” said chairman of the council Maulana Samiul Haq, adding that America wanted to break Pakistan into pieces, referring to a resolution sponsored by three US lawmakers calling for self-determination in Balochistan.

MIA

However, three prominent leaders including Jamaat ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Maulana Ahmed Ludhianwi and Dr Khadim Hussain Dhillon were missing in action due to the ban imposed on them by the capital’s administration from entering the city.

“Hafiz Muhammad Saeed will not come to Islamabad to avoid confrontation with the government and will not attend the rally,” Yahya Mujahid, a spokesman for JuD, said.

The council, among other things, announced an All Parties Conference (APC) on Balochistan to be held in Quetta on February 29 while there was unanimity among the alliance’s leadership over the full blockade of Nato supply routes through Pakistan, ending US intervention in Pakistan’s internal affairs and withdrawing a move for a normalised trade relation with India.

Addressing the gathering, Maulana Samiul Haq stated that a key objective of the council is to defend the geographical and ideological frontiers, to free Pakistan from foreign interventions and to establish a strong defence and social welfare system in the country.

“We know this is a difficult journey towards our destination. But we have to render sacrifices to achieve these objectives,” Haq said.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hasan, who also spoke at the rally, claimed that the US was hatching a conspiracy against Pakistan’s sovereignty and its nuclear assets.

“The US is the biggest terrorist of the world and it has initiated economic and strategic wars against the Muslim world,” Hasan maintained.

Jamaatud Dawa’s Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki also spoke at the rally, saying: “Both the US and our spy agencies know better how many jihadis have been prepared during the last decade in our country, who will defend this country in case the military fails in its job.”

Meanwhile, a rally organised by JI in Rawalpindi also joined the public gathering by DPC in Islamabad. Dozens of people left in buses for the federal capital, eventually reaching the jam-packed Aabpara Chowk. Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad also joined the DPC rally in Islamabad. Also present was former ISI chief Gen (retd) Hamid Gul.

Anti-US sentiments 

“Death to America” and “America deserves one treatment: jihad, jihad” shouted the crowd in a bustling commercial area.

Allah Buksh, a senior police official, said 2,500 attended the demonstration as it got under way, but witnesses estimated the crowd at 3,500 as hundreds of riot police, armed with batons and wearing bullet-proof jackets, stood guard.

“The friend of the US is a traitor,” “the friend of (Pakistani President Asif Ali) Zardari is a traitor” and “the friend of (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai is a traitor,” shouted the crowd.

(Additional input from AFP).

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>‘Difa-e-Pakistan’ rally: Religious right’s ‘dharna’ troubles commuters, traders</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339358/%e2%80%98difa-e-pakistan%e2%80%99-rally-religious-right%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98dharna%e2%80%99-troubles-commuters-traders</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339358/%e2%80%98difa-e-pakistan%e2%80%99-rally-religious-right%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98dharna%e2%80%99-troubles-commuters-traders#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 12 01:43:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sehrish.wasif]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=339358</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Aabpara besieged, citizens in the vicinity irked; schoolchildren at the rally did not know what they were doing there.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A ‘dharna’ (sit-in) under the pretext of ‘Difa-e-Pakistan’ (defending Pakistan) only served to harm the economic interests of small traders in Aabpara and other parts of the city. Monday brought headaches for businesses and citizens alike, as some shops near the protest site stayed closed all day, others complained of low customer traffic, banks and petrol pumps were blocked off with canvas screens, and commuters were seen stranded at bus stops.


Thousand of participants from different religious parties and banned outfits gathered under the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) umbrella to assemble at Aabpara Chowk at around 1:30pm. However, the Islamabad administration had sealed all roads leading to Aabpara early in the morning, leaving hundreds of commuters fuming.

The blocked roads included the main access points for Aabpara Chowk, Khyaban-e-Suhrawardy and Municipal Road, with numerous detours created for ‘smooth’ traffic flow. Public transport users had it the worst, as they had to walk in the rain.

“I don’t understand why Aabpara Chowk is always used for protests and rallies despite other large grounds available in the federal capital,” said Hafza Azam, as she waited for a wagon on Kashmir Highway.

Seven important public transport routes pass through Aabpara Chowk, and closing off the area created traffic chaos.

Sadia Bibi and her four-year-old son had to walk more than three kilometres from Aabpara Chowk to the bus stop near Serena Hotel. “I took my son to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for a check up, and after getting to Aabpara Chowk, I had to go to this stop on foot due to the blockade,” she complained.

Members of the traders’ union had showed resistance on Saturday and decided not to allow the sit-in.

However after meeting with Jamat-i-Islami (JI) Islamabad chapter president and former MNA Mian Aslam they allowed the protest on condition that this protest would be the last one.

Talking to The Express Tribune, traders leader Ajmal Baloch claimed it was the last protest at Aabpara Chowk and that his union will not allow any protests at the site in future. He said that the union is also planning to approach Islamabad High Court (IHC) to get remedy in this regard. “For years, this chowk has been used for protest and rallies which badly affect our business,” he added.

“We bunked school for this?” 

A number of very young protesters were seen in the crowd, however, not many of them knew why they were there, or what they were rallying for or against.

Museeb and Saddam did not know each other but were sitting together and sharing a big shawl to protect them from the rain.

Saddam, a 6th grader, came alone from Rawalpindi to attend the rally, which he thought was held “to destroy America”. However, when asked if he knew anything about America, or had any reason for wanting to destroy the country, he said no. Little Museeb had been forced to come along by his father.

Uniform-clad third-grader Usama was the centre of attraction for many as he waved a big flag near the stage. “I have come here with my father, but I don’t know what this rally is about,” he said.

Nasir, a fouth grader from Haripur, had come with his teacher. He had to miss school for a rally he knew nothing about.  “My teacher told me that we are going to Islamabad and you should also join us. I don’t know much about America, except that ‘goras’ (white people) live there.”

Mohammad Shakir from Alipur Chatta and was sitting on a wall with his relatives and was trying to listen to the protestors’ speech.

He had to miss his school to come here.

“My father brought me here therefore I took leave from my school. But do not know what it is all about,” he said.

Atif, a third grader, was carrying a huge flag bearing the Pakistan cricket team logo. “After school, I came here with my elder brother and his friends. They said that they were going to Islamabad and gave me this flag,” he said. When asked why he was carrying this particular flag, he misidentified it as the national flag, based on having seen PTI chief and former captain Imran Khan carrying it on TV during an old cricket match.

Madrassa student Huzaifa, 12, caught the eye of many as he stood close to the stage wearing a helmet and using a Jamatud Dawa flag as a shroud. His aim in life is to become a ‘mujahid’ (religious warrior).

He too thought the rally was intended to challenge America. However, his explanation of who America is showed much is lacking in Madrassa education. “America is the country that has occupied Kashmir and is killing people there,” he asserted.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The defence of Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339195/the-defence-of-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339195/the-defence-of-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 12 18:53:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=339195</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DPC has the distinction of containing two big jihadi outfits banned internationally, but not banned inside Pakistan.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) got ready to defend the country against America on February 20, at Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad, with some help from the Punjab government in Rawalpindi. The DPC defied the federal government’s ban on its three top leaders, including the Jamaatud Dawa’s Hafiz Saeed and the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat’s Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi. Everything goes in favour of the DPC: the media, the parliament, the government and the people at large who are angry with America — the government may be pretending to avoid being left out — hence, why not reap more popularity while destabilising the government? The DPC is the stronghold of the religious parties aligned with jihadi non-state actors created in the past by the state and its agencies to fight covert wars in India and Afghanistan. There are some political attachments demonstrating how the non-religious parties look at the rising storm of extremism in the country, possibly seeing opportunities in it. The only mentionable party represented in the DPC, in earlier gatherings, is Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf; the others are negligible one-man shows like General Zia’s son Ijazul Haq and Rawalpindi’s Sheikh Rashid Ahmad.

The DPC is focusing on the drones, the threat of resumed Nato supplies through the Pakistani route, the appearance of a number of draft resolutions at the US House of Representatives about Balochistan (at least, one of them defending the right of self-determination of the Baloch), and the award of the Most-Favoured Nation status by Pakistan to India. The DPC strongmen have taken a firm position on how their warriors will attack the supply convoys if they are resumed. The DPC has the distinction of containing two big formerly jihadi outfits banned internationally, but not banned inside Pakistan, plus the newly-raised and renamed organisation by an old companion of Osama bin Laden, Maulana Fazlur Rehman Khaleel, whose safe house in Islamabad once served as bin Laden’s post office.

At an earlier show of strength in Multan, the DPC also featured Malik Ishaq of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, who has been accused of involvement in dozens of sectarian murders. At first, one of the leaders of the DPC, ex-ISI chief General (retd) Hamid Gul denied that he was present at the rally, but later apologised in the face of solid evidence. Another individual given to inciting sectarian hatred, Kohat’s Javed Ibrahim Paracha, known as al Qaeda’s lawyer, has been appearing in the DPC demonstrations. No one is bothered about the fact that terrorists are featuring big in them. The ISI should be bothered, too, because its cause against America is being promoted by the DPC in the company of these outlaws, but some analyses of the DPC deployment tend to see it as a concealed response of the establishment against the barrage of criticism being levelled at it.

At a recent seminar staged in Peshawar under the auspices of the Centre for Discussions and Solutions, an advocacy organisation created by Qazi Hussain Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami, two ex-ISI chiefs made their appearance: the usual fixture General (retd) Hamid Gul, who has emerged as a leader of the jihadis whom he once handled, was accompanied by General (retd) Asad Durrani. Why should the ex-ISI chiefs join the challenge to the sitting government? Mr Gul is known to be aggressive in his championship of all causes anti-American, but Mr Durrani could be entering the fold of religious rebellion because the Supreme Court is about to hear a case against fixing the 1990 elections with illegal funds in which he is named. Since there is a strong odour of establishment behind the DPC onslaught, it is quite possible that certain strong elements within it are signalling their own preferred option in foreign policy against America and India. The world outside sees clearly what most in Pakistan may not be able to see or may prefer to ignore for a number of reasons. Pakistan is losing its grip in the face of forces it once unleashed to advance its foreign policy. The quicker it realises this and takes corrective action, the better for it.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Strong anti-US sentiments in Difa-e-Pakistan’s Islamabad rally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339068/difa-e-pakistan-hafiz-saeed-maulana-ludhianwi-not-to-attend-islamabad-sit-in</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339068/difa-e-pakistan-hafiz-saeed-maulana-ludhianwi-not-to-attend-islamabad-sit-in#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 12 07:00:21 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[US resolution on Balochistan raises temperatures; Maulana Samiul Haq says America wants Pakistan’s dismemberment.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[As several quarters in Pakistan join the chorus to condemn a bill on Balochistan moved in the US Congress, thousands of Difa-e-Pakistan Council supporters rallied in Islamabad against American intervention in Pakistan.

“Today, we have gathered here to raise a voice of protest against US intervention in Pakistan,” DPC Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq told the participants who had gathered at Aabpara Chowk in the federal capital on Monday.

“America wants to break Pakistan into pieces,” Haq said, in reference to the resolution in America, introduced by Congressman Dana Rohrabacher which calls upon Pakistan to recognise the Baloch right to self determination. “Our protest is against the possible resumption of Nato supplies, US and Indian occupation and to strengthen the country’s defence.”

The alliance, which comprises 40 religious groups and parties including conservative right-wing party Jamaat-i-Islami and UN-sanctioned Jamaatud Dawa, was formed after a Nato strike on Salala Checkpost in Mohmand killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Also present at the rally was DPC member Hamid Gul, who headed Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency during the 1980s Pakistani-sponsored war against Soviet troops in Afghanistan that gave rise to al Qaeda and the Taliban.

His membership has fuelled suspicions that Pakistan’s security establishment is backing the coalition as a means of exerting pressure on the weak government and whipping up rhetoric against the unpopular US alliance.

However, three prominent leaders JuD head Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Maulana Ahmed Ludhianwi and Dr Khadim Hussain Dhillon did not participate in the sit-in.

The decision was taken by the DPC leadership to avoid any clash with the government as the administration had imposed a ban on the entry of these three leaders in Islamabad for seven days, said Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat spokesperson Ubaidullah Usmani.

“Hafiz Muhammad Saeed will not come to Islamabad to avoid confrontation with the government and will not attend the rally,” Yahya Mujahid, a spokesman for JuD, also told AFP.

The council has been able to attract large crowds in its recent rallies. Allah Buksh, a senior police official, said 2,500 attended the Monday demonstration as it got underway, but witnesses estimated the crowd at 3,500 as hundreds of riot police, armed with batons and wearing bullet-proof jackets stood guard.

The sit-in will continue till dusk, sources said.

Anti-America slogans

“Death to America” and “America deserves one treatment: jihad, jihad” shouted the crowd.

“America can never be our friend, it is our biggest enemy. America will be defeated in Afghanistan and divided into pieces,” Mian Aslam, a former JI lawmaker said in his address to the rally.

Banners strung up in Islamabad denounced US drone strikes on militants, the government’s decision to grant India the Most-Favoured Nation status in a bid to ease trade, and re-opening the Afghan border to Nato convoys.

“Go America Go”, “No to NATO”, “Arrogant Americans – others are also human beings” and “the chains of slavery will now break up”, they read.

“The friend of the US is a traitor”, “the friend of (Pakistani President Asif Ali) Zardari is a traitor” and “the friend of (Afghan President Hamid) Karzai is a traitor”, shouted the crowd.

Jamaatud Dawa representation

Maulana Abdul Rehman Makki and Maulana Ameer Hamza will participate on behalf of Hafiz Saeed, while ASWJ central secretary information Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqi and ASWJ vice-president Punjab Maulana Maavia Tariq will represent the banned ASWJ leaders Ludhianwi and Dhillon.

ASWJ’s rally took off today from the Markaz ASWJ and headed towards Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad to participate in the sit-in, Usmani further said.

He said that Maulana Aurangzeb Faruqi will lead the rally.

On Sunday, Muhammad Saeed and Ludhianwi reached Rawalpindi to participate in the Sarbarahi Ijlas, and rumours had it that the leaders would also breach the ban to participate in the sit-in today.

However, the top leadership of the DPC decided in a meeting to abide by the administration’s orders and not take the three banned leaders along.

The rally of Jamat-e-Islami (JI), led by Rawalpindi chapter chief Dr Kamal Ameer, also took off to Aabpara Chowk from Liaqat Bagh Rawalpindi. Other party leaders, along with more than 2,000 activists of ASWJ, gathered in the office of ASWJ to participate in the sit-in, said Usmani.]]>
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			<title>In defiance: Difa-e-Pakistan converges on capital</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339001/in-defiance-difa-e-pakistan-converges-on-capital</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/339001/in-defiance-difa-e-pakistan-converges-on-capital#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 12 00:23:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=339001</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite bans on entry to the ICT, Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Ahmed Ludhianwi reached Rawalpindi.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an umbrella grouping of different religious and political parties, said on Sunday that its supporters would gather in Islamabad on February 20 (today) to protest against drone attacks and the restoration of air supplies for Nato.


Addressing a press conference at a local hotel, DPC leader Maulana Samiul Haq said they would challenge the decision of the interior ministry to ban the entry of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leader Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi to the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

Despite the ban, Saeed and Ludhianvi reached Rawalpindi on Sunday to participate in the Sarbarahi Ijlas (meeting of the party heads).

Other party leaders including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, General Ziaul Haq’s son Ejazul Haq and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Secretary General Liaquat Baloch also reached Rawalpindi to participate in the rally. The DPC are planning a serious protest against what they perceive as injustices on Pakistan soil. In fact, they have decided to approach the Supreme Court over the resumption of airspace supplies to Nato in Afghanistan, Haq told the media.

“We have decided to gather at Abpara in the federal capital on February 20 to raise our voices against the continuous drone attacks in Pakistan and the resumption of Nato supplies by the federal defence minister,” he said. The alliance of as many as 30 political and the religious parties demanded immediate removal of Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, the federal defence minister, for cooperating on this issue with Nato.

For the DPC leadership, the bans on some members had been imposed on the direction of the United States, as they intend to hold a public gathering in Balochistan on February 27. Condemning the recent resolution put up in the US Congress, the DPC members said that ‘the West’ had never passed any resolution on the freedom of Kashmir from Indian occupation.

The party leader also took up Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s case during his address and said that their “innocent sister” is being “shamefully treated”. He was accompanied by Ludhianvi, who said that the ban on three leaders in Islamabad will be challenged in the court.

A senior police officer in Rawalpindi, who asked not to be named, said that the Islamabad administration had imposed a ban on three leaders of DPC for seven days but despite the ban, the Rawalpindi police as well as the city’s administration have been unable to take any legal action against those breaching the bans.

He added that the Rawalpindi police and the administration are under control of the Punjab government, while the Islamabad Police and Islamabad administration are under the control of federal government.

Answering questions from the media, Haq confirmed that Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed had parted from the DPC.

Meanwhile, former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Hamid Gul issued an apology to The Express Media Group over his allegations that Malik Ishaq’s pictures on The Express Tribune‘s website were “doctored”. Gul said that he was mistaken as he was not aware of all the people who attended the rally.

(Read: The very excellent Difa-e-Pakistan Council)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Despite ban, JuD, ASWJ chiefs reach Rawalpindi for rally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/338703/despite-ban-jud-aswj-chiefs-reach-rawalpindi-for-rally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/338703/despite-ban-jud-aswj-chiefs-reach-rawalpindi-for-rally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 19 Feb 12 09:17:39 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=338703</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and Ahmed Ludhianvi to join Sarbarahi Ijlas today.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Despite being banned in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) by the administration, Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat (ASWJ) chief Maulana Ahmed Ludhianwi reached Rawalpindi on Sunday to participate in the Sarbarahi Ijlas.

The media coordinator of the Sarbarahi Ijlas, Ubaidullah Usmani, confirmed to The Express Tribune that the rally had started in the adjacent city of Islamabad.

Other party leaders including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq, JUI-Functional chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, late General Ziaul Haq’s son Ejazul Haq and Jamaat e Islami (JI) Secretary General Liaqat Baloch also reached Rawalpindi to participate in the rally.

Haq, addressing a news briefing, rebuked the Pakistan Army and said that the Army had claimed that it will bring down the American drones, but still have not done anything yet, thus compelling the DPC to stand up for the cause.

The party leader also took up Dr Aafia Siddiqui's case during his address and said that their "innocent sister" is being "shamefully treated".

He was accompanied with Ludhianwi, who said that the ban on three leaders in Islamabad will be challenged in the court.

The leaders, in a meeting today, will also review the arrangements and the strategy for the sit-in on Monday in Islamabad.

They will also look into the matter of the ban on three Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) leaders in Islamabad for seven days, confirmed the ASWJ spokesman, and added that the meeting will be chaired by DPC chairman Samiul Haq.

The spokesperson said that the DPC will formally announce at 2pm today the change in venue of the sit-in. It was earlier supposed to be in front of the parliament, but now it will be held at the Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad, he said.

A senior police officer in Rawalpindi, while talking to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity, said that the Islamabad administration had imposed ban on three leaders of DPC for seven days but despite the ban, the Rawalpindi police as well as the city's administration have been unable to take any legal action against those breaching the bans.

He added that the Rawalpindi police and the administration are under control of the Punjab government, while the Islamabad Police and Islamabad administration are under the control of federal government.

Sheikh Rasheed leaves DPC

Ejazul Haq told The Express Tribune that Sheikh Rasheed has left the Difa-e-Pakistan Council after receiving a call from American politician Condoleeza Rice.

He added that the DPC leaders will visit Rasheed to get him back into the council.

He also announced of an All Parties' Conference to be held on February 27.

Hamid Gul apologises to Express media group over allegations

Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Hamid Gul issued an apology to the Express media group over his allegations of calling Malik Ishaq's pictures on The Express Tribune's website "doctored".

In a TV interview, Gul had said that Ishaq, one of the founders of the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, was not present at the DPC rally in Multan and questioned the reporter who had filed the pictures of the rally.

Gul said that he was mistaken as he was not aware of all the people who attended the rally.]]>
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			<title>JuD, ASWJ leaders' entry banned in Islamabad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/338358/dpc-leaders-entry-banned-in-islamabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/338358/dpc-leaders-entry-banned-in-islamabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Feb 12 17:08:57 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=338358</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ASWJ member­s say ban impose­d on US asking, MPO to be challe­nged in court.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Islamabad authorities, following directions from the federal government, have imposed a seven day ban on some leaders of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council, including Jamaatud Dawa’s (JuD) Hafiz Saeed, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat (ASWJ) chief Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi and General Secretary Dr Khadim Hussain Dhillon from entering the capital.

Express News reported on Saturday that the ban has been imposed with a view to stop the leaders from attending DPC’s February 20 gathering, to stage a sit in front of parliament house, hence obstructing the public gathering.

According to sources, the leaders could be arrested if they entered Islamabad.

Meanwhile the traders community of Aabpara Market has also appealed to the DPC from staging a rally in Aabpara market.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik had earlier suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) Margalla after the police failed to stop the three leaders from making an appearance at a Milad-un-Nabi gathering.

Following the imposition of the ban by the federal government on the DPC members, a spokesperson of the ASWJ while speaking to The Express Tribune called it a ‘shameful act’.

The ASWJ further claimed that they will contest the imposition of the ban, imposed under the Maintenance of Public Order, in courts.

Reacting to the ban, Maulana Ludhianvi said that this decision had been taken by the government only to appease the American government.

The ASWJ spokesperson said that Islamabad administration as well as Capital police had informed them of the ban and that this was being enforced after they received written orders from the Ministry of Interior.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said that the government would not allow banned organisations to stage sit-in in Islamabad under the cover of DPC, adding that strict action would be taken if DPC tried to violate the law. Though, those groups who are not banned, would be allowed to protest.

Earlier this week, the US State Department had issued a brief press release, raising concerns about Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed’s public appearances, including at the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) rally held in Karachi.

The release further stated that the UN resolution “calls for all countries to freeze assets of sanctioned groups, prevent the transfer of arms to them, and prevent sanctioned individuals from entering or transiting their territories.”]]>
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			<title>US express concern over Hafiz Saeed's public appearances</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/337705/us-express-concern-over-hafiz-saeeds-public-appearances</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/337705/us-express-concern-over-hafiz-saeeds-public-appearances#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 12 20:42:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=337705</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[State Department issues statement, urging Pakistan to uphold international sanctions on JuD.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The US State Department has raised concerns about Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed's public appearances, including at the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) rally held in Karachi earlier this week.

The State Department issued a brief press release on Thursday, In response to a question submitted earlier in the week, which said that, "Lashkar-e-Taiba and its front group Jamaatud Dawa, is internationally sanctioned because of its associations with al Qaeda.  We have and continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to uphold its obligations in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1267/1989."

The release further stated that the UN resolution "calls for all countries to freeze assets of sanctioned groups, prevent the transfer of arms to them, and prevent sanctioned individuals from entering or transiting their territories."

JuD has been functioning in the country as a religious and charity organisation. Post Mumbai attacks in 2008, the organisation was declared a terrorist organisation by the West, UN and India.

Talking to Express News, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) senior leader Liaquat Baloch said that the DPC opposed the sanctions. He said that certain organisations, which were a part of the council, had been wrongly banned by a dictator, hinting at former President Pervez Musharraf.

Baloch justified his claim by saying the if a certain exile agreement - with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif - and the NRO by the same dictator had been declared illegal, why should this ban be considered valid.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan: Religious right delivers verbal punches at rally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335663/difa-e-pakistan-religious-right-delivers-verbal-punches-at-rally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335663/difa-e-pakistan-religious-right-delivers-verbal-punches-at-rally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 12 01:24:58 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Jamatud Dawa chief Saeed says US is leaving Afghanistan after facing a serious defeat.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The city may be run by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the ground opposite Mazaar-e-Quaid may have hosted three other rallies in quick succession in recent days — but on Sunday the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) erased any signs of the rulers’ presence over the ground or of the rallies that preceded theirs.

Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) – the reincarnation of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) – dominated the landscape with flags, workers and convoys.

The themes raised during the rally were familiar and predictable — against reopening Nato supply routes, reiterating that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam, freeing the country from US ‘tyranny’ and advocating against India and US policies.

JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch vowed that the DPC parties would besiege parliament on February 20 to protest any decisions regarding reopening Nato supply routes. DPC also announced its plan of arranging a rally in Quetta on February 27.

Despite a considerable presence of volunteers at the venue, they were unable to hold back ASWJ supporters who broke the cordon and rushed forward to the stage when Karachi leader Orangzaib Farooqui began to speak.

The stage filled up relatively early with leaders of the parties that make up the council – a coalition of over 40 religious-political parties – including JuD chief Hafiz  Saeed, JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan, former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Hameed Gul, Ejazul Haq, ASWJ head Ahmed Ludhianvi and head of his own faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S) Samiul Haq. Cleric Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi was on stage, as well as regional and second-tier leaders of the party. Other speakers at the rally included leaders of Jamaat Ahle Hadith and the Jamhoori Watan Party.

JuD leader Ameer Hamza delivered one of the more inflammatory speeches of the afternoon, as he vowed that one day the rally attendees would make “mincemeat” of India and asked them to “break the legs of any ‘whore’ who went to India to sing and act in films”.

Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi also spoke out against restoring the Nato supply route, calling for an end to ‘thuggery’ in the name of Afghan transit trade.

Other leaders who turned up included Jamia Binoria representatives, Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) central vice-president Ejaz Chaudhry.

The attendees cheered and chanted as the afternoon wore on.  Mohammad Arif, an ASWJ worker from Korangi told The Express Tribune: “I’ve come with 50 other people.

“I have never seen a rally as big as this. I’m here because I’m in the SSP and because they speak of religion here.”

Another JuD attendee said he had travelled by train from Lahore along with a thousand supporters.

Meanwhile, JUI-Nazriati leader Abdus Sattar called for Pakistan to adopt a system similar to the one introduced by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

PTI’s Ejaz Chaudhry claimed that the spirit of change had spread through the country and how Pakistan needs to be “cleansed of America”.

Several speakers paid tribute to Taliban leader Mullah Omar while ASWJ head Ahmed Ludhianvi claimed Pakistan did not need aid from the US and would ask ‘God’ for help.

The chair of the council, Samiul Haq, delivered the final speech at sunset as the crowd began to thin out. Haq said he endorsed all the speeches made and reiterated why the DPC’s creation was so important and took an oath from the attendees to work for its mission.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Govt should break away from Pak-US partnership, says Hafiz Saeed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335364/thousands-gather-for-difa-e-pakistan-karachi-rally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335364/thousands-gather-for-difa-e-pakistan-karachi-rally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Feb 12 09:06:42 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=335364</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Jamatud Dawa chief Saeed says US is leaving Afghanistan after facing a serious defeat.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Jamatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed said on Sunday that the US was leaving Afghanistan after facing a serious defeat.

“US failed to achieve its goals in Afghanistan and now wants to accomplish those same goals in Balochistan,” Saeed said.

Saeed was speaking at the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC)’s Karachi rally, organised with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), where several other religious and political leaders also gave speeches.

While expressing satisfaction over the turnout at the rally, the JuD chief said that the current government of Pakistan should break away from the Pak-US partnership.

Responding to the news of Nato supply via Pakistani airspace, Saeed said that the government should stop this route as well.

Saeed also told the people gathered at the rally that India was using Kashmir as a weapon against Pakistan. He accused India of stopping Pakistan’s water and instead giving the impression that Punjab was stopping Sindh's supply, which led to a conflict between the two provinces.

JI chief Munnawar Hassan, Maulana Samiul Haq, former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Hameed Gul, former federal minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Chief of Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Ahmed Ludhianvi, late General Ziaul Haq’s son Ejazul Haq, among many others, were present at the rally.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) senior vice-president Ejaz Chaudhry was also present at the rally.

During his speech, Chaudhry claimed that the spirit of change had spread throughout the country and emphasised that Pakistan needs to be “cleansed of America”.

JI Secretary General Liaquat Baloch and Haq, while addressing the rally, said that the DPC parties will besiege parliament on February 20 to protest against any decision related to reopening Nato supply routes.

The security cordon around the stage was earlier broken as ASWJ workers stormed the ground when Karachi leader Orangzaib Farooqi took the mic to address the rally.

Regional leaders of the parties have been making speeches since the morning. The afternoon and the evening will be dominated by the central leaders of the parties.

The speeches so far have touched on themes central to DPC, which are against reopening the Nato supply routes and ending American tyranny to live with honour. Speakers have also talked about India's role in Kashmir and some even paid tribute to Mullah Omar.

Rally preparation

Around 10,000 chairs have been set up, while several CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure security at the rally. Around 2,500 police personnel and 3,500 Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) volunteers are also on duty.

The roads leading to the venue were packed with Jamaatud Dawa and ASWJ supporters. Flags of all parties that are part of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council have been put up at the venue.

Against MFN status for India, reopening of Nato supply

Difa-e-Pakistan Council is a coalition of over 40 religious and political parties that has been vocally demanding the government to keep Nato supply routes closed and withdraw its decision to grant India the status of most-favoured nation.

The DPC has also been promoting the rally online through a newly launched website and the microblogging website Twitter (@Difaepak).

The first DPC rally was in Lahore which was organised by Jamatud Dawa (JuD), whose leadership is in charge of coordination and communication between all members of the group.

Calling for the Nato supply routes to stay closed, the DPC has several times, in their past rallies, threatened to besiege the parliament in case the government decides to reopen the routes.

DPC next rally will be in Quetta on February 27.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan Part 2/2: Who is aiding the jihadis’ resurgence?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335231/difa-e-pakistan-part-22-who-is-aiding-the-jihadis-resurgence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335231/difa-e-pakistan-part-22-who-is-aiding-the-jihadis-resurgence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Feb 12 04:58:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[taha.siddiqui]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=335231</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Analysts say Arabs funneling funds to this America-bashing movement.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Difa-e-Pakistan has organised three large gatherings in Punjab alone. The first was in Lahore, which was organised by Jamatud Dawa (JuD), whose leadership is in charge of coordination and communication between all members of the group.


The movement will now hold a rally in Karachi on Sunday (today), which is being organised with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has also held numerous meetings with the Difa-e-Pakistan leadership.

Other prominent members, who are widely perceived to have links with the intelligence circles in Pakistan, include Ejazul Haq, son of the military dictator who ruled during the Soviet-Afghan war, Sheikh Rasheed, a former federal minister in the last set-up under General Pervez Musharraf, and Hameed Gul, the former head of Pakistan’s premier spy agency, the ISI.

Difa-e-Pakistan does not currently maintain any joint fund and its leadership says all donations are from the public. “The business community, workers of each party, and even Pakistanis living abroad are sending us money, which is enough,” states the head of coordination committee, Yaqub Sheikh.

Independent researchers, however, say that most of the funding for the group comes through rich Arabs. “Not the governments there but the Arab public hate the Americans and have always been involved in using Pakistan as a proxy state,” says Khaled Ahmed, a renowned journalist who has authored several research papers and a book on terrorism and sectarian violence in Pakistan.

Ahmed feels that Difa-e-Pakistan is highlighting foreign policy issues, which the army command has historically dominated in Pakistan. Since the army cannot speak openly on these issues, it will use these non-state actors to communicate,” he adds.

Senior military officials who want to remain anonymous echo his thoughts. “Difa-e-Pakistan wants to tell us and anyone else who wants to use them that they are available. Their presence can be used to bargain with Americans,” a military officer remarked. When the group’s leaders are asked about this, all deny any signal from the armed forces in starting this group but their love for the military is quite evident. “The army is the largest institution of this country, so it holds a lot of importance for us and we are willing to fight for them,” says Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi, head of Ahl-e-Sunnat-wal-Jamaat (ASWJ).

While their statements glorify the Pakistani military and criticise the current political regime, they say they have no direct political stake in the upcoming elections under the banner of Difa-e-Pakistan. “We do not believe the current political system is Islamic and that is why we are not going to contest,” says Yaqub Sheikh from JuD, though he clarifies that his group has always had a political wing.

Analysts feel the union between such ‘Islamists’ can bring no good. “Difa-e-Pakistan has zero political objective but they are taking Pakistan back to the pre-9/11 era when the country had a pro-jihad policy. That will isolate Pakistan internationally,” says Amir Rana, director for the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies. “We were on the brink of being declared a terrorist state then, and with Difa-e-Pakistan’s reactivation, a similar narrative is being revived,” he warned.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Public rally: Difa-e-Pakistan bandwagon rolls into Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335233/public-rally-difa-e-pakistan-bandwagon-rolls-into-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/335233/public-rally-difa-e-pakistan-bandwagon-rolls-into-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Feb 12 04:56:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=335233</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The event is being promoted online through a newly launched website and Twitter.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[After Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), All Pakistan Muslim League and Fazlur Rehman’s faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, it is now Difa-e-Pakistan Council’s (DPC) turn to take over Karachi’s landscape to advertise its upcoming event.


Even though Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) is the ‘host’ party for the event, Jamatud Dawa (JuD) seems to have taken it upon itself to aggressively promote the rally, scheduled for February 12 at the ground opposite Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum.

Dozens of billboards, posters and banners have been put up, and activists have been painstakingly painting an advertisement on a flyover on behalf of the Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamat (ASWJ), formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, a banned militant outfit.

A committee set up by the DPC has been meeting delegations of ethnicity-based groups, traders, lawyers and doctors to elicit their support for the rally.

Difa-e-Pakistan Council is a coalition of over 40 religious and political parties that has been vocally demanding the government keep Nato supply routes closed and withdraw its decision to grant India the status of most-favoured nation.

While he declined to provide any estimates of how many people they expected to turn up, JuD’s Karachi spokesperson Ahmed Nadeem said they hoped the Karachi event would be bigger than the ‘historic rallies’ the council has held in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan.

“We have received a no-objection certificate for the venue,” Nadeem said, referring to the controversies that bogged down the PTI when it sought permission to hold its rally at the same venue.

A delegation met JUI-F’s Karachi Secretary General Aslam Ghori, but Ghori said the visit was not political. “They came to offer condolences for my father’s death. There was no talk of this [event].”

Ghori reiterated that JUI-F’s central leadership has decided not to join the DPC. “Other than Nawaz Sharif, everyone who was part of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad is part of this council,” he explained, referring to the coalition of religious-political parties formed in 1990. “Hamid Gul (former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence) was leading them then, and he is leading them now too. We were not part of the Ittehad then, and we are not part of this council now.” However, it is widely believed that the JUI-F has refused to join the DPC because it has still not made peace with Jamaat-e-Islami after the collapse of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal.

Hameed Gul is one of the speakers at DPC, along with Sheikh Rashid and the late General Ziaul Haq’s son Ejazul Haq  among others.

The event is scheduled to start at 11 am on Sunday and will wrap up by Maghrib prayers.

The DPC has also been promoting the rally online through a newly launched website and the microblogging website Twitter.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>The very excellent Difa-e-Pakistan Council</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/331421/the-very-excellent-difa-e-pakistan-council</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/331421/the-very-excellent-difa-e-pakistan-council#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 12 16:06:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[tazeen.javed]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=331421</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[What are the dire consequences Difa-e-Pakistan threaten? Chaos, anarchy and suicide bombings.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[One cannot be faulted for assuming that the Difa-e-Pakistan Council may perhaps comprise of officials of the defence ministry, four-star generals and decorated admirals who wish to ponder over the defence needs of the country and make major strategic decisions.

To find out that it is actually a motley crew of fourty-odd religious parties, banned terrorist outfits like the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), a few other political has-beens like Sheikh Rasheed and Ijazul Haq, and former spymaster Hameed Gul, among others, can be shocking. To figure out what it stands for can be even more astounding. Let’s try and figure that out by asking a few questions.

So what does the Council stands for? According to Hafiz Saeed of the JuD, it is a coalition with the aim to “defend Pakistan”. What do they actually do apart from claiming to defend the country? Not much besides holding rallies in different cities and threatening the government of dire consequences if their demands are not.

What are those dire consequences? Chaos, anarchy and suicide bombings. But don’t we have them — anarchy, chaos and suicide bombings — already? Yes, but they have promised to scale up the operations if their demands are not met.

And what are those demands? For starters, they want parliament to not restore the Nato supply lines. But those supply lines have always been open and were blocked only some weeks back — why this sudden realisation that it undermines the sovereignty of the country? Better late than never, isn’t it?

What else do they want? Surely they cannot spend millions of rupees on all those public gatherings to demand that the government does not restore the Nato supply lines? The ultimate goal is to sever all diplomatic, cultural, political and economic ties with the United States of America. Errr, can our country survive this ultimate isolation? Most probably not, but the Council would surely like the government to try that. Is it just America that they want to cut ties with, or has any other country faced a similar wrath? They hate India just as much and are angry with the government for awarding it ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status.

But by regularising trade with India, the government will not only discourage cross-border smuggling of goods, it will also gain from taxes and duties levied on the increased imports — revenue which can then be used for public welfare. Surely that cannot be bad? The Difa-e-Pakistan Council is not concerned with the public good; according to its chairman, “the council’s sole agenda is to ensure the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan”.

What legitimacy do they have, if any, to demand all that? Between the 40 parties and organisations that make up the Council, only the JUI-F is represented in parliament and it too has a handful of seats. One can surely ascertain the Council’s legitimacy by seeing its underwhelming electoral performance. The Council, of course, would like to think otherwise. According to Maulana Sami-ul Haq, its chairman, their gatherings are a clear message to US and a referendum for the government of Pakistan to immediately review its relations with America and other western allies.

Does any of this make sense? No, not really — but then our politics has never been about logic, finding solutions and peace and harmony. It has always been about rhetoric, confusion, demagoguery and posturing and the Difa-e-Pakistan Council is doing one hell of a job as far as this is concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan Council: Ahead of 40-party rally, JuD chief parries questions on electoral ambitions</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329982/difa-e-pakistan-council-ahead-of-40-party-rally-jud-chief-parries-questions-on-electoral-ambitions</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329982/difa-e-pakistan-council-ahead-of-40-party-rally-jud-chief-parries-questions-on-electoral-ambitions#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 12 23:19:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=329982</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[New strategy includes writing each member of parliament on foreign policy.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[One of the last religious-party coalitions on the political scene called itself the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or MMA. That was just six parties. Thus, when 40 parties form a group, the natural question arises whether they are contemplating forming an alliance to fight in the elections.

These questions were partly answered on Tuesday by the chief of a leading member of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council. Hafiz Saeed of the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) stressed, albeit vaguely, that the council was a coalition with the aim to “defend Pakistan”. “Political activity and ups and downs will continue regardless – but Pakistan has to be safe and secure,” he said.

Even though Saeed’s name has not been on a ballot, he claims it was a “misconception” that the JuD was not a political party, given that its activities – such as bringing together different parties and raising awareness on issues – are of a political nature. The JuD, which is allegedly linked with the banned militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, serves as a pressure group and organises events on religious and political issues, including in favour of the blasphemy law. It also runs a philanthropic wing called the Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation.

“We believe the politics of polarisation harms the Ummah,” Saeed said, as he parried questions on whether the party would formally announce itself as a political party or participate in the elections.

Saeed was briefing journalists on Tuesday afternoon about the upcoming Difa-e-Pakistan Council event, to be held in Karachi on February 12. The council has already hosted events in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.

While the JuD hosted the council’s event in Lahore, Saeed said the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) had been entrusted with the responsibility in Karachi and would deal with acquiring permission for the venue and inviting other parties. So far, the venue has been decided as the ground opposite the Mazar-e-Quaid, a space that has gained considerable popularity in the last few months as it was the choice of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), All Pakistan Muslim League and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) for their rallies.

“The rally in Karachi will play a big role in [cementing] the objective of ensuring that no decisions [about Pakistan’s foreign policy] are made silently,” Saeed said.

The Difa-e-Pakistan Council has been in touch with mainstream political parties, and delegations have personally visited Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif and PTI chairperson Imran Khan. A delegation from the PTI attended the council’s event in Lahore, and according to Saeed, the JuD expects “good things” from Khan.

One of the council’s new strategies is to personally write to each member of parliament to ensure their concerns about Pakistan’s foreign policy are heard. JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan has announced that the party will stage a sit-in at parliament if its committee on national security’s recommendations includes reopening Nato supply lines. Saeed said the JuD and other parties would probably follow suit.

When asked whether outrage over foreign policy eclipsed a discussion on real issues people face, Saeed said, “I disagree with the assertion that these issues are separate. All the issues in Pakistan have come after the post-2001 agreements it made with the United States.”

Saeed did admit, however, that religious parties have been unsuccessful in amassing street power to oust governments. “Instead of just reacting to urgent issues, we should have constantly motivated people,” he conceded.

Saeed took this opportunity to clarify that Malik Ishaq, who is believed to be a key leader of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and was recently freed from detention, was not a ‘special guest’ at the council’s rally in Multan on Sunday. “Some sections of the media picked this up. He did not address the rally,” he said.

Hafiz Saeed said Pakistan had been possessed by a jinn - the US.

As far as the ‘jinn’ is concerned, Saeed concluded, “Some jinns leave [the body] with [the help of] prayers, and other [need to be forced out] with sticks”.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Media should dutifully cover Difa-i-Pakistan Council’s events: Hafiz Saeed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329350/media-should-dutifully-cover-difa-i-pakistan-council%e2%80%99s-events-hafiz-saeed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329350/media-should-dutifully-cover-difa-i-pakistan-council%e2%80%99s-events-hafiz-saeed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 12 14:46:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=329350</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[JuD chief says journalists, as Pakistanis, should use the opportunity to defend the country.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Joining in the chorus of Jamaat-i-Islami and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl, the Jamaatud Dawa has also chastised the media for ‘inadequate’ coverage of its events and activities.

“Media should consider it a duty to provide coverage to events of JuD and Difa-i-Pakistan Council,” Hafiz Saeed, chief of the religious charity organisation, said on Monday.

He was speaking to reporters in Multan after attending a rally organised by the council on Sunday.

“They [journalists] are part of Pakistan and must defend the country. They can do it in this way,” he said.

Speaking about the council’s ideology and aims, he said that through the council, the JuD aims to unite people from Peshawar to Karachi under one umbrella to protest US aggression in Pakistan. “It is regrettable that religious scholars do not highlight this teaching of the Shariah that greatness lies in unity,” he said, adding that the Difa-i-Pakistan Council’s next gathering in Karachi will be the biggest rally in Pakistan’s history.]]>
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			<title>Difa-e-Pakistan convention: Religious parties threaten to besiege parliament</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329145/difa-e-pakistan-convention-religious-parties-threaten-to-besiege-parliament</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/329145/difa-e-pakistan-convention-religious-parties-threaten-to-besiege-parliament#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 12 04:57:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[owais.jafri]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=329145</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Reopening of Nato supply will be a step against Pakistan, says JI chief.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Even if the government decides to restore Nato’s supply route, the country’s religious parties plan to robustly oppose the move.

At the Difa-e-Pakistan conference here on Sunday, the leaders threatened a siege of parliament if the Nato supply line was restored.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawwar Hassan said on Sunday that any resolution submitted in parliament favouring restoration of the US-Nato supply routes would be a step against Pakistan.

The speakers declared that parliamentarians approving the resolution for allowing Nato supply resumption and those who granted the most favoured nation (MFN) status to India must be ready to “face the music”.

Chief of Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Ahmed Ludhianvi said that if the government decides to restore Nato supply routes, his party workers would block the route themselves.

The supply route was suspended by Pakistan after the November 26, 2011 Nato air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and took Pakistan’s fragile alliance with the US to new lows.

The JI chief, referring to the chief of army staff, said: “Enough is enough. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani should be very clear with regards to the policies and relations with the US and India.”

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami chief Maulana Samiul Haq also addressed the convention and said that “if the US, Israel, India or Nato forces” attack Pakistan’s border, they will retaliate against them with “full force”.

Malik Ishaq, the former head of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, also attended the gathering on the special invitation from the ASWJ leadership.

“We will not let this government negotiate with India and the US who are the greatest enemies of Pakistan,” said Difa-e-Pakistan Council Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq.

“The government will see its worst days if they restore the Nato supply line. We will surround the parliament and will not allow them to move outside unless they change their decision,” he added.

The ASWJ had expected an attendance of more than 200,000 people for the gathering but intelligence sources estimated that about 50,000 participants came to the venue.

The meeting was attended by the Sheikh Rasheed, Hafiz Saeed, Hameed Gul, and leaders of many religious parties from across the country including Ijazul Haq, Abdul Rehman Maki, Hafiz Saifullah Mansoor and Maulana Ameer Hamza.

Meanwhile, the Markazi Jamiyat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees (JAH) demanded an inquiry into the funding of the event. The group’s local chief Allama Khalid Mehmood Nadeem said the government should take notice of the “millions of rupees” wasted in organising the Difa-e-Pakistan convention.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>JuD promises Imran Khan treat at Difa-e-Pakistan convention</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/323588/jud-promises-imran-khan-treat-at-difa-e-pakistan-convention</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/323588/jud-promises-imran-khan-treat-at-difa-e-pakistan-convention#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 12 17:11:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[owais.jafri]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=323588</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Imran Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan, Awami League chief Sheikh Rasheed to attend rally, say JuD.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) said on Wednesday that their January 29 Difa-e-Pakistan gathering would be attended by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan,  Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Munawar Hassan  and Awami League chief Sheikh Rasheed among other religious and political party leaders. The JuD added that they had confirmed their presence for the rally.

Addressing a gathering in Multan, the JuD leadership vowed that they would not step back and demanded the political and military leadership devise their decisions and policies keeping this in mind.

JuD has been very active recently in trying to unite people for the Difa-e-Pakistan convention in Multan on January 29.

JuD added that only an nuclear capable and armed Pakistan can survive in the future and that it should be defended at every cost.

They said that conspiracies were being hatched against Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, in the shape of declaring the country a failed or terrorist state.

'Secular forces have no attachment to Pakistan'

Hafiz Saeed, President JuD, said "we will not let Pakistan slide into the hands of secular forces in Pakistan as they have no attachment or relation with Pakistan.”

He added that the nation had come out of its ‘slumber’ and the government too should also come out from "US slavery".

“The drone attacks are proof that the level of loyalty of the government to the US and western powers is incomparable but at the same time, the fury of the people of Pakistan has also become immeasurable and it will sweep away the government.”

Saeed further said,“ I am happy to see the response of registration from the students, lawyers and civil society and farmers from Punjab for the biggest convention in the history of Pakistan to be held in Multan. We only want to show our hatred for the US and India through this gathering...we want them to etch it on their coffins that the nation is united and will defend the nuclear capability of Pakistan at any cost.”]]>
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			<title>Hafiz Saeed vows jihad against India will continue</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/308521/%e2%80%98difa-i-pakistan-conference%e2%80%99-hafiz-saeed-vows-jihad-against-india-will-continue</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/308521/%e2%80%98difa-i-pakistan-conference%e2%80%99-hafiz-saeed-vows-jihad-against-india-will-continue#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Dec 11 21:30:38 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[rana.tanveer]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=308521</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Makes first call for jihad at public rally since UN ban on Jamaatud Dawa.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Jamaatud Dawa (JD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed vowed on Sunday that the jihad to oust Indian forces from Kashmir would continue, the first time he has made a reference to jihad since his group was declared a terrorist outfit by the United Nations in 2009.


Saeed was speaking at the ‘Difa-i-Pakistan Conference’, a gathering of thousands of supporters of Wahhabi and Deobandi parties at Minar-i-Pakistan on Sunday to protest against ‘US and Nato terrorism’. All the speakers at the rally called for jihad and told their supporters to prepare for war.

During his speech, Difa-i-Pakistan Council Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq read out an oath to the audience that they would participate in jihad when the Council gave the call. “We will attack Indian, US, Russian and Nato forces if they try to violate Pakistan’s sovereignty,” they said, repeating after Haq.

Haq said the various parties at the conference had united and would work together until their goals were achieved.

The organisers had invited the parents of men killed fighting in Kashmir and Afghanistan to the conference. A man who had lost three sons and two nephews was called to the dais to speak briefly. From the stage, men on loudspeakers led the crowd in chants of ‘Sabilina sabilina, al jihad al jihad’, ‘India ka aik ilaaj, al jihad al jihad’.

‘Difa-i-Pakistan jihad-i-fi sabilillah se hoga’ (Pakistan’s defence is only possible through jihad) proclaimed a huge banner, decorated with images of missiles, tanks and fighter jets, that formed the backdrop to the stage. Speakers walked to the stage accompanied by gunmen.

The crowd was dominated by JD activists waving the group’s black and white striped flag, which is also the flag of Lashkar-i-Taiba, proscribed as a terrorist outfit by Pakistan. In December 2009, the UN declared JD an alias of LT, which is believed responsible for the Mumbai terror attacks.

Some in the crowd also waved the flag of Sipah-i-Sahaba, another banned terrorist outfit. Supporters of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Sami), Tanzim-i-Islami, Aalmai Khatme Nabuwat, Tanzim Mashaikh Azzaam, Jamiat Ahle Hadith and Majlis-i-Ahrar also turned out in large numbers.

In his address, Hafiz Saeed said jihad was obligatory for Muslims. He said if the Americans tried to invade Pakistan, they would be resisted and killed. He said America had been trying to get Israel to take out Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, but was now planning the task itself. He said that Pakistan and Afghanistan were like twin brothers; whoever tried to harm one, would have to face the people of the other country. He demanded that the Pakistani government end all contacts with the US. He said that a similar rally would be held in Rawalpindi. “We will no longer fight America’s war, we will fight Pakistan’s war,” he said.

Saeed said that his support for Kashmir remained firm. “We were with Kashmiris and are with Kashmiris,” he said.

He said that JD would not allow the government to grant most-favoured nation trading status to India. “We will surround the markets where Indian goods are sold,” he said, adding a call for revenge against India for the separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

JD leader Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki said that the participants wielding JD flags had been trained to use rifles and Kalashnikovs. “When they head towards India with weapons, no one can resist them,” he said.

Former ministers Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Ijazul Haq, son of the late dictator Gen Ziaul Haq, also addressed the participants.

Maulana Ahmad Ludhianvi spoke against Ahmedis. He said that US-Pakistani businessman Mansoor Ijaz was an Ahmedi and was conspiring against Pakistan in the form of the memo scandal. He said 4,000 young people he had sent for jihad had died.

Former Inter Services Intelligence chief General (retired) Hameed Gul said Pakistan did not want war against the US, but “America has destroyed our lives and now we have no choice but to take a firm stand against it”. He said that he supported those who wanted to fight for the country after the Nato strikes that killed 24 soldiers. He said that an Islamic revolution, not general elections, was what Pakistanis needed to resolve their problems.

Syed Ziaullah Shah Bukhari, Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, Maulana Zahidul Raashdi, Abdullah Shah Mazhar, Hafiz Ibtisam Ilahi Zaheer, Maulana Mazhar Javed and Maulana Bashir Ahmed Sial also spoke at the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>‘Defence of Pakistan’ Conference: Jamaatud Dawa violates rules for rally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/308097/%e2%80%98defence-of-pakistan%e2%80%99-conference-jamaatud-dawa-violates-rules-for-rally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/308097/%e2%80%98defence-of-pakistan%e2%80%99-conference-jamaatud-dawa-violates-rules-for-rally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Dec 11 08:03:33 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[asad.kharal]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=308097</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Banners, posters put up around city despite admin’s ban on advertising.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) is violating rules issued by the district administration for the ‘Difa-i-Pakistan Conference’, which is to be held at Minar-i-Pakistan today in protest at “America and Nato’s terrorism”.


Banners and posters advertising the conference and flags of Lashkar-i-Taiba, an outfit thought responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attack of November 2008, have been put up around the city. The group has also set up reception camps. All of these actions are in violation of a code of conduct issued by the administration, according to an intelligence agency report. It said the code was being “violated openly, particularly regarding display of flags and posters of a proscribed organisation”.

The United Nations Security Council declared JD an alias of Lashkar-i-Taiba and banned it on December 10, 2008. The federal government announced a ban on the group in Pakistan the next day, though it later emerged during a hearing in the Lahore High Court that the ban had never been officially notified. The JD denies any links with LT, insisting that it is a charity organisation. The JD has regularly arranged rallies in Lahore in recent months with no resistance from the authorities.

According to the code of conduct for Sunday’s rally issued by the district administration, there must be no wall-chalking, banners, streamers, posters or flags advertising the conference in the city. This rule has been openly violated, most spectacularly by a massive banner on Chauburji, a historic building overseen by the Archaeology Department.

The code of conduct states that no reception desk be set up, and that the speakers at the rally must not say anything likely to incite hatred against any religious party or sect. No speeches against constitutional offices, the armed forces or the judiciary are allowed. “No banned, proscribed organisation or their members will be allowed to address the participants,” it states.

It also states that “disputed affairs” must not be “touched/discussed”. The code bans the public display of arms. Organisers are not allowed to make announcements concerning the conference via a van or other vehicle.

“No one will be forced to attend the public gathering. No shop or business activities will be closed forcibly. There shall be no political slogans/hooting of any political/religious party,” says the code.

According to the intelligence agency’s report, more than 15,000 chairs have been set up in Minar-i-Pakistan for the rally. JD spokesman Yahya Mujahid said the number of chairs for the rally was double the number placed there for the Tehreek-i-Insaf rally held at the same venue on October 30.

The intelligence report said that about 3,000 volunteers would be deployed at the venue for security. JD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said that a lot of people will participate in the conference.

In a press release issued earlier, organisers urged religious leaders to make contacts in mosques, schools and the streets to inform people about “American and Nato aggression” against Pakistan and to convince them to attend the rally.

Capital City Police Officer Ahmed Raza Tahir and Deputy Inspector General Ghulam Mehmood Dogar were asked to comment on the violation of the code of conduct for the rally, but did not reply to questions from this correspondent.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2011.]]>
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