While addressing the rally, senior member of JuD Ameer Hamza said “When Pakistan announced that it might award the MFN status to India, Hafiz Saeed reassured , Ali Geelani that we will not leave him alone.”
“India can never be a most favorite nation for Pakistanis,” he added.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani is the founder of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat of Indian administered Kashmir.
Referring to Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Maulana Abdur Rehman Makki said:
“How can this 33 year old girl know anything about the 63 year old Pakistan?”
He also added: “If this decision (to award MFN status to India) is not reversed then those who are responsible for this decision will have to get reversed.”
Secretary General Punjab of Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal-Jamat, the political wing of banned militant outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba, showed solidarity with the JuD.
“I want to announce from Sipah-e-Sahaba that we are with Hafiz Abdur-Rehman Makki and Hafiz Saeed.”
The JuD Lahore Ameer, Ameer-ul-Azeem was present at the rally also.
Media efforts to promote harmony with India during the speeches were also condemned.
At the rally when the participants were asked why they were attending, one tractor driver said he was given Rs2,000 to attend. Others gave figure between Rs2,000-5000.
A few others said they are attending because of their personal association with JuD members in their neighbourhood. However, a few farmers said they were protesting because “India does not release enough water for their fields.”
Rally participants also included a number young boys from the JuD Markaz Tayyaba in Muridkey.
The group announced that on November 27 students from different seminaries will stage a protest against granting the MFN status to India outside the Lahore Press Club. On December 18, 40 religious parties will gather for a convention at Iqbal Park in Lahore.
