Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, (2L), head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), Chairman of the Defence of Pakistan Coalition Maulana Sami ul-Haq (2R), former Pakistani intelligence ISI chief Hamid Gul (R) and Sardar Attique, former prime minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and who presides over the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (L) join hands at an anti-US rally in Lahore on December 1, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
The Difa-i-Pakistan Council (DPC) leaders said on Sunday the government should play its role in stopping drone strikes in the country and stop the construction of a concrete wall along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.
Speaking at a protest rally on The Mall on Sunday, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader Maulana Samiul Haq said US presence in the country should end.
He said the chief justice of Pakistan should take suo motu action to end drone attacks.
Haq said the need of the hour was for the people to unite and the army, judiciary and the politicians to act in unison. He praised Imran Khan for protesting against NATO supply.
“If the armed forces fail to protect the country, the people of Pakistan will do it,” he said.
Jamatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed said the sectarian clashes and terrorism in Balochistan, were occurring because of India, the US and Israel.
He criticised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for visiting Afghanistan and said the PM had been issuing some controversial statements. “His pro-India polices are not acceptable,” he said.
Saeed said he had heard that the Jacobabad airbase was being given to the US.
“I appeal the Taliban to issue a statement saying they would fight for Pakistan’s defence if drone attacks are not stopped,” he said.
The Jamatud Dawa chief said India wanted to build a wall in Kashmir. He said it was to this end that it had staged the “Bombay drama” and accused him of terrorism. He said the government should play its role to stop the construction of the wall. Otherwise, he said, private citizens would go and destroy it.
Lt Gen (r) Hamid Gul said Pakistan was in a state of war with the US and India. He said the drone strikes would be extended to Lahore if the Pakistani government did not stop them soon. He said the US was making Pakistanis fight each other. “The US is being given 84 acres of land for its embassy in Islamabad and 50 acres of land in Lahore.”
He said operations at NATO’s terminal in Karachi should be stopped.“The DPC is often labeled as a religious platform…I’m not a mullah but only a soldier sworn to defend Pakistan.” He urged the participants to unite against drone strikes and anti Pakistan moves. Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said India planned to build a 150-mile wall to divide Kashmir. He regretted that the Pakistani government had not even condemned it.
He said the prime minister should raise concerns over killings of 600,000 Kashmiris and actions meant to deprive Pakistan of river waters.
The rally started from Nila Gumbad and ended near Masjid-i-Shahuda on The Mall. The participants carried flags and chanted slogans against the US, India and the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (33)
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@Striver : "...give Kashmiris the freedom they demand ..."
Which Kashmiris are we talking about - the Kashmiri Pandits (who were driven of their ancestral homes) or the Kashmiris living in Ladakh and Jammu (these three form the majority of the population) who want to stay with India or the 'Punjabi and Pakhtoon freedom fighters from across the border' who want Kashmir to be a part of Pakistan or the small minority that pipe dreams about an 'Independent' Kashmir? Care to comment? Also, would the same demand for freedom be given in to in your part of Kashmir?
Who let these Baboons out of cage? Please put them back into cage otherwise people at large are in danger.
If these people claim to be the saviours of Pakistan, even God Himself would not be able to save this country.
@Eddied: Neighbors prosper???
In space programs and poverty u mean
who are the people behind DPC? or the same forces behind PTI...
Things have never looked better for India. Good Tamasha Pakistan is offering.
@Striver: Give Baluchistan freedom then there will be peace in Pakistan
Who finances them? Tomorrow, they will claim MARS to be disputed planet.
.Transition period remains a matter of life and death for Stooges of establishment after all who knows the mood of new masters.This is a display of loyalty-check with new army chief.Finger crossed waiting for response.Curiosity at its peak.Yes or No.!!!
@Ahsan: Why? just because they have long beards and wearing Shalwar Kameez? Stop judging the book by its cover. Your judgement of a person's character is so superficial that its is pathetic. You are so blinded by your ignorance that you immediately judge people based on their looks and clothing which is extremely pitiful.
@Naim: You are right. Nobody in entire South Asia has served America more than General Gul. His views changed after he was not made COAS.
To all Indians: give Kashmiris the freedom they demand and there will be peace. Its that simple.
True Patriotic Pakistanis, may God bless them. Time we kick out all foreign agents and realize who are our friends and who are our enemies. There shall be no compromise on the issue of freedom for Afghanistan or Kashmir.
December is Pakistan's 'Month of Defeat and Surrender'.
Err... what do we have here? "I appeal the Taliban to issue a statement saying they would fight for Pakistan’s defence if drone attacks are not stopped,” -- if this isn't an open invite for the TTP and their cohorts to "take over" from the Pakistani Army, then I don't know what is! Just "watch that space" folks... for the game has just begun.... and if that "invite" does materialize (God forbid), then what are we seeing in the picture above -- the "future cabinet" of Pakistan? Perhaps with the likes of Hamid Gul as Prime Minister... or even better, the "younger dude" among them Hafiz Saeed!! Move over Mr. IK, your party's position as the "political arm of the TTP" (as many readers have seen stating in these spaces) has just been effectively hijacked...!!!
Unity indidpensable to face the deteriorating situation. In case,differences or devision remained intact between us this national issue then will have face total destruction. According to my considered opinion,once again APC must be called so that we may unanimously come to the right conclusion and creates unique consensus.
I feel bad for Pakistan every time I see them.
Non State Actors are protecting their turf. If there is peace between India and Pakistan than no one will care for these non state actors.
If Hafiz Saeed is wanted by india, LK Advani is wanted by PAKISTAN If Hafiz Saeed is terrorist, LK Advani is also terrorist.
Incoming: Parade of Indians and liberal keyboard soldiers
80-acres of land in Islamabad n 50-acres in Lahore to build or extend USA embassy premises was a gift American received by n through PPP government. Why n for What, CJ may need to call Mr. Zardari to explain. Question of a Jacobabad airbase given to American (what ever purpose or reason) can't be acceptable. It's also valid complained that present PM may need review Indian record n over all behavior before being too friendly with this State.
Justified - Slam pro india policies like the indians openly slam our policies
This news is GOLD for Indian and liberal keyboard warriors!!!
We Pakistani loyalists are with you!!!! May God help you !!!
PTI has firm stance to stop the drones which are violation of the countr's sovereignty and against the global law. Earth routs supplies has stopped byPTI ruling over the province PK.On the other hand,PML(n) which is ruling over the country has different stance and suppoting the ground rout supply to foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan over than decade.There is tremendous contradiction in between them.They are eye to eye this time/There are chances of contradiction.Avoiding such situation it is dire need of the time the government should become the essential part of the mainstream.that is better for national interests.
*“I appeal the Taliban to issue a statement saying they would fight for Pakistan’s defence if drone attacks are not stopped,"
Arnt these the same people who said that the Taliban are all CIA-RAW-Mossad agents and cannot be Muslims?
What is this Hamid Gul blabbering about that the drone strikes "would be" extended to Lahore ...??? I have news for ALL Pakistanis, that the "drones" have already arrived in Lahore -- in the form of these "mighty titans" of the DPC ...!!!
These Taliban supporters are working for the enemies of free Pakistan...they would like to see the TTP/Taliban take over the country so that the mullahs would increase their power...they are the enemies of democratic Pakistan and the reason the country is so confused about who the enemy is and who their friends are...no wonder Pakistan does not make progress while its neighbors prosper...
Funny how in the above picture all have served the US at the prime of their professional careers.Lets start with Hameed Gul who was go get that thing boy for the U.S in the Afghan war1.Sami ul Haq had sworn his allegiance with Pervaiz Musharraf of the George Bush era.Hafiz Saeed has uptill recently been a toy for ISI which again has been under the influence of the CIA.And lets not talk about the fourth guy in the picture.Amazingly they understand Immi's way of protesting. Guys this makes the political front of TTP.Now they can open their offices/outlets more easily in the Immi and Group's held KPK.They just need to make an officail request to the KPK Govt and their already booming business will soar.Boom...!
“I appeal the Taliban to issue a statement saying they would fight for Pakistan’s defence if drone attacks are not stopped,”...... Does he have any suggestions/ideas for Taliban to defend Pakistan..... ??!!!
They are Real face of Pakistan... Give the whole administration of Pakistan to them and watch the success of Pakistan...Like Previous years
These dinosaurs are still peddling hate in the information age. A motley crew of has beens trying to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world they don't comprehend.