Addressing a joint rally of Pakistan Awami Tehreek and Minhaj-ul-Quran International
(Lahore chapters) against the unprovoked NATO attack on Pakistani checkpost in Mohmand
Agency, Irshad Ahmad Tahir, Amir of MQI Lahore, said that the entire nation was
unanimous in their condemnation of the aggression by the NATO forces. He said that
the people stood behind their armed forces and were ready to offer any sacrifice
to protect the territorial integrity of their motherland. He said that stability
was not possible without formulating the domestic and foreign policies in accordance
with the national interests.
Irshad Tahir said that the NATO attack negated the valuable services rendered
by Pakistan in the war on terror. He further said that the Pakistan army was fully
capable to safeguard the country and none should have any doubt in this regard.
The protest rally, which was attended by hundreds of workers of PAT and MQI,
started from Aiwan-e-Iqbal and concluded at the Lahore Press Club. The protesters
were carrying placards and posters with pro-army slogans written on them. General
Secretary MQI Lahore Hafizullah Javed, Presiden of Minhaj-ul-Quran Youth League
Lahore Chaudhry Ali Hassan, President of Mustafvi Students Movement Lahore Ali Raza
and members of the executive were also present on the occasion.
Irshad Tahir said that the country would not become stable unless it secured
its economy, which required bold decisions aimed at giving relief to the dearness-pressed
people and restoring the fiscal discipline at the national level.
PAT President of Lahore chapter, Chaudhry Afzal Gujjar, said that the NATO attack
had not only awakened the Pakistani nation but also created unity in their ranks.
He said that the entire nation stood by their armed forces. He stressed the need
of getting rid of IMF and World Bank to attain economic sovereignty in the real
sense.
