JUI-F rallies in parts of K-P against reopening NATO routes

Nearly 100 protestors marched outside the Peshawar Press Club.

PESHAWAR/ DI KHAN: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) activists held protests in various parts of the province on Friday against the restoration of Nato supply routes.

Led by the president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers and Commerce Senator Haji Ghalum Ali, 100 protestors marched on Sher Shah Suri Road outside the Peshawar Press Club, carrying banners and placards.

Addressing the crowd, Ali criticised the government for taking a unilateral decision on reopening supply lines, which he said was in violation of the parliament’s joint resolution. He said the government had succumbed to US pressure and that the whole country is against Nato goods passing through Pakistan.

The demonstration was part of a country-wide protest organised by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman against the reopening of supply lines. The routes were shut in November last year in the aftermath of a US attack on Pakistani troops in Salala, which killed 24 soldiers.

“This decision has brought the country face-to-face with yet another crisis,” Ali said. He asked the government to immediately close down the routes and also to put an end to US drone strikes in tribal areas of the country.

DI Khan protest

The party also held a rally in front of the Press Club in DI Khan.  Local JUI-F leaders said they would not allow the government to make policies against the interests of the country.

“Rulers are busy protecting the government and are not interested in the stability of the country,” Qari Nawaz Farooqi said. “If the party chief asks us to, we will lie down on the roads and stop the Nato containers from passing.”