The lively and charged crowd responded with great enthusiasm when the speakers chanted “death to America” and demanded jihad (holy war) against the US which was, according to them, a bitter enemy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
“America wants to get hold of our nuclear assets. Sadly, the incumbent leaders of Pakistan are also playing in the hands of Americans. Let us join hands and step forward to break Pakistani government’s alliance with the US to save Pakistan,” speakers said, addressing the charged crowd.
Supporters and leaders of as many as 40 parties participated in the show of ‘Defence of Pakistan’ which in fact, failed to attract majority of students and ‘progressive class’ of the country.
“Today, we have gathered here to raise a voice of protest against the US intervention in Pakistan. Who will join hands with us in this noble cause,” Maulana Samiul Haq asked the participants.
Speaking on the occasion, former head of ISI General (retd) Hamid Gul told participants that the US policies in the region, especially in Pakistan were the root cause of main problems in the country. He urged the participants to get united and struggle against the US policies to rid the country of its trouble.
“Our protest is against the possible resumption of Nato supplies, US and Indian occupation and to strengthen the country’s defence,” speakers said. The speakers made it clear that the US presence in the region was only meant to break Pakistan. “America wants to break Pakistan into pieces. Now they are conspiring to deprive Pakistan of Balochistan. We will call All-Party Conference on Balochistan soon,” speakers said.
The huge crowd responded to the speakers when they shouted slogans like “Death to America” and “America deserves one treatment: jihad, jihad”.
“America can never be our friend, it is our biggest enemy. America will be defeated in Afghanistan and divided into pieces,” Mian Aslam, a former lawmaker from Jamaat-e-Islami party told the rally.
Banners sprung up in the rally denounced US drone strikes, government’s decision to grant India most favoured nation status in a bid to ease trade and reopening of the Afghan border for Nato supply.
“Go America Go,” “No to Nato,” “Arrogant Americans - others are also human beings,” and “the chains of slavery will be broken now,” the banners read.
Difa-e-Pakistan Council has attracted huge gatherings at a series of rallies across the country that some see as a build up to contesting next general election, which could be called within months.
Three prominent leaders: Jamaatud Dawa head Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat President Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi and Secretary General Dr Khadim Hussain Dhillon did not participate in the DPC sit-in.
The capital administration on Saturday banned the entry of Ludhianvi, Dhillon and Hafiz Saeed Ahmad in Islamabad for four days.
