War on terror: Religious groups condemn US drone strike

MULTAN: Dozens of protests were organised in various districts of south Punjab on Friday to condemn the United States for the drone strike on Taliban leader Mullah Mansoor.

The protests were organised in Cheechawatni, Multan, Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, Rajanpur, Khanewal, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan, Rojhan, Lodhran, Mian Channu, Sahiwal and Layyah.

A huge demonstration was organised in Multan at Chowk Rasheedabad. It was led by Jammatud Dawa, Jamiat Ulema Islam-Sami (JUI-S), Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Jamaat-i-Islami. Nearly 2,000 people participated in the protest.

They chanted slogans against the US. “The US government has always been duplicitous and have sought sacrifices from our people in its War of Terror,” one of the protesters said. He said the drone strike that had killed the Taliban leader violated the territorial sovereignty of Pakistan.

In Khanewal, lawyers and religious parties staged a demonstration at Saddar Chowk after Friday prayers to condemn the drone attack. As many as 250 people participated in the protest. They chanted slogans against the US government and set the American flag on fire.

The demonstration was led by Mian Suhail Ahmed. Addressing the participants, he said the military should shoot down US drones. He said all US bases and covert CIA stations in the country should be shut down.

“President Barrack Obama was never sincere about a dialogue with Taliban. He wants to end this crisis through violence.” He said the US was collaborating with India to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said the government of Pakistan should immediately suspend relations with the US to protest the attack.

“The prime minister should clarify his position on drone attacks. His silence and his cabinet refusal to address this issue is criminal. Imran Khan should also speak out against the attack,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2016.