Common enemy: Traders protest attack on PIA office in Delhi

Say extremists should be dealt with an iron hand

MULTAN:

Scores of traders on Friday staged a demonstration in front of a Pakistan International Airlines terminal to protest the attack on a PIA office in Delhi by Hindu Sena activists.

They burnt the Indian flag and chanted slogans against the Indian government for patronising the extremists and failing to protect Muslim minorities. The demonstration was led by Kalb-i-Abid, president of the traders association.

The protesters said the government of India should respond to this attack like a responsible neighbour. They said Pakistan was cooperating with Indian intelligence in the investigation into the Pathankot attack.

The protesters were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans for peace between the two countries.

“Pakistanis are peace-loving people,” said Muhammad Hammad, one of the protesters. “We do not want tensions with India.

But it seems that they see us as their rivals.”

Abdul Hameed, another protester, said, “Pakistan has shown time and again that it wants to resolve its issues with India. However, incidents like the attack on the PIA office make us question about sincerity of the Indians.” He said both countries should probe the matter with maturity and prudence.

Mohammad Murtaza, another protester, said extremists were enemies of both Pakistan and India. “India should cooperate with Pakistan in identifying and eliminating this mutual enemy,” he said.

Ghulam Hussain, another protester, said Pakistan wanted peace in the region. He said India should protect Pakistani institutions operating on its soil and Pakistan should respond in the same manner.

The protesters demanded a thorough probe into the incident.

They said a joint investigation team should be constituted by Pakistan and India to investigate such incidents of vandalism.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2016.