Spokesperson for Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) Yahya Mujahid told The Express Tribune on Friday that Malik Ishaq was present on the stage of the Defense of Pakistan Council (DPC) rally in Multan.
Mujahid contradicted ex-spymaster Hamid Gul’s statement in a TV interview in which he had denied Ishaq’s presence – going as far as calling a photo in The Express Tribune “doctored” and then questioning the credibility of the paper’s reporter.
Mujahid said Hamid Gul was wrong, and added that it was the DPC’s unanimous decision that Ishaq will not address the rally. Malik Ishaq is one of the founders of the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
Mujahid added the rule was that any person addressing the DPC rally will not be a member of a banned outfit.
Threatening the media
The JuD spokesman also apologised on behalf of Qari Sheikh Yaqoob regarding his statement against the media at the DPC Karachi rally. Yaqoob had said that in case of lack of coverage of PDC events, the venues will be converted into grave yards for the media. Mujahid said: “one should condemn the statement of Qari Yaqoob as much as one can.”
He added that he has written apology letters to the media in the capacity of a representative of JuD.
Mujahid said the DPC rallies were being conducted in a very organised manner. Funding is provided by member parties, and host parties for different rallies funded the respective events in their cities.
JuD hosted the Lahore rally, Ahle-Sunnat-Wal-Jamat organised the one in Multan, Sheikh Rasheed hosted the Rawalpindi event and in Karachi Jamat-e-Islami was the DPC host. Mujahid said all involved parties have nationwide networks which support them in managing events.
Mujahid was attending a protest called by the JuD outside their main mosque Jamia Qadsia in Chauburgi, Lahore. The protest was called under the banner of the Defence of Pakistan Council to protest against the impending recommencement of Nato supply routes and trade with India.
A senior leader of JuD, Amir Hamza said the reason the United States has a problem with JuD chief Hafiz Saeed is because, “He (Saeed) speaks against the violation of human rights by the US allied forces in this region.”
A gathering of a few hundred supporters, who were at the Jamia to say Friday prayers, were the primary attendees. DPC has called for a meeting of the heads of the member parties on February 19 in Islamabad.
(Read: The very excellent Difa-e-Pakistan Council)
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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D Day Coming Very Soon!
@ASAD:
Keep telling that to yourself and others around you and blissfully ignore the huge wave of Islamic Radicalization sweeping your Country.
If Shahrukh Khan says it it has meaning. No Indian is part of Al Qaeda, but you telling it shows only ignorance.
@BruteForce: my name is khan and i am not a terrorist
Mullahs zindabad!
The liar Hamid Gul is exposed.
we need more patriots like difa e pakistan to save this country...keep up all the good work guys.
They are true patriotic Pakistanis. All else are propaganda against them...
we students love Difa-e-pakistan conference
we students support Difa-e-Pakistan. i reqest all the students to support the people who love and care for Pakistan. i request DIfa-e-Pakistan council to make website so that students and all pakistanis can get the membership of Difa-e-Pakistan council.
Difa-e-Pakistan is a united political front set up by very learned and devotional people. The future is bright for Pakistan. The future is red and green.
Terrorists like this guy and Hafiz Saeed roam freely on the streets of Pakistan, but liberals like to the current Pakistani Ambassador to the US have to take cover in the fear of death.
Instead of making economy, basic services for health, food and better quality of life, these guys are supporting establishments to make security matter or foreign policy a higher priority. Had establishment followed policy of economy, trade from last 64 years, pakistan would have been more prosperous than India and China in the region.
This Difa-e-Pakistan is another project by group of people who were lossing out grip on people of pakistan.. it is like empty box, which can only make noise but when you open it, there is nothing inside.
On one side, we say Pakistan has got powerful army then we why do need this DPC ? Can anyone details what good they have brought to people of Pakistan other than all these rallies
Fyi see article about Polio, it is simple thing but quite affective and is making India polio free. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17054392
Difa-e-Pakistan gives us a glimpse of the future rulers of Pakistan. Be prepared citizens !!
Pakistan needs strong line of nationalistic politicians. I don't care if its DPC or anyone else. I would vouch for one who truly puts interests of the country above everything.