Nato supplies: DPC starts long march to Islamabad

Monday, July 09, 2012 - Lahore—Difa-i-Pakistan Council (DPC), a group of right-wing political and religious leaders who have been the most vocal opponents of the restoration of Nato supply Sunday started its long march from Lahore to Islamabad to press the PPP led government to stop Nato supply line as per public sentiments.

A large convoy comprising buses, other vehicles and motorcycle riders are accompanying the long march. DPC leaders including Maulana Sami ul Haq, Syed Munawar Hasan, Liaquat Balouch, Hafiz Saeed, Sheikh Rashid are leading the march.

Talking to the media at the beginning of the march the chairman of the Council Maulana Sami-ul-Haq and other leaders including Shaikh Rashid asked the people to join the long march to express their anger at the restoration of the NATO supply line.Maulana Sami-ul-Haq also criticized the advisor to the PM on Interior Affairs Rahman Malik for trying to subvert the protest march which they said is the right of the people. He vowed to continue march till end of Nato supply line from Pakistan.The participants of the long march would stay overnight at Gujrat and moves towards Islamabad on Monday morning via Rawalpindi. Maulana Sami-ul-Haq deplored the US for openly flouting the security and autonomy of Pakistan by recent drone strikes in Waziristan. He strongly reacted to the statement of Rehman Malik saying the government itself never obeyed any law. He said this is the beginning of our struggle. We want the US to not only leave Afghanistan, but Pakistan also.

The protest started Sunday in the center of Lahore, where about 3,000 people assembled with dozens of buses, cars and motorbikes. he leaders of Difah-e-Pakistan stood in the back of a truck at the head of the convoy. They included Maulana Samiul Haq, known as the father of the Taliban; Hafiz Saeed, founder of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group; and Hamid Gul, a retired Pakistani intelligence chief with a long history of militant support. The crowd was dominated by members of Jamaat-ud-Dawa.“We want to show the rulers that people of Pakistan are against its decision, and we want to show to the world that the rulers’ decision was not a reflection of the people’s will,” said Jamaat-ud-Dawa spokesman Yahya Mujahid.

Difah-e-Pakistan is widely believed to be supported by the Pakistani army as a way to put pressure on the U.S.

In Islamabad Advisor on Interior Rehman Malik has said that participants of the Long March would be provided all the security and facilities because they do not belong to the army of an enemy country but are patriotic Pakistanis and have right to register their protest. However he warned the members of the banned organizations not to dare enter Islamabad otherwise they would be arrested.

Talking to media here on Sunday after chairing a high level meeting that finalized arrangements for the Dia-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) March, Rehman Malik said that the participants would be provided security cover with special CCTVs and four helicopters. Rehman Malik said DPC was sent a message of dialogue and they informed the government about the route of the long march.

He said the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has issued instructions to facilitate the participants of the march. However he said if any one tried to take law in his hand, then he would be dealt with according to law. He said the participants of the March could stay in F-9 park. He said the traders of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce had announced to stop the march but on his request they agreed to close their businesses at 4 PM on Monday and disperse at 8 PM.He said there is a security threat all over the country and the enemy remains alert and plans to launch attack but our security forces have made plans to foil such threats.

Malik said a special traffic plan has also been prepared for the participants of long march to avoid inconvenience to the citizens.

He said long marchers can enter Islamabad through a specific route and register their protest He advised the long marchers to only use Faizabad route to enter Islamabad. He said their march will not be blocked. He said Rangers, FC and police will be deployed on routes of Long March. The people have been asked to keep their identity cards with them.

In reply to a question, the Advisor on Interior directed the Interior Secretary to issue Red Warrant to bring back former Ehtesab Bureau chairman Saif ur Rehman from Qatar.

Replying to a question, he said NAB is investigating against Sharif brothers in money laundering case and after the completion of the investigation, Sharif brothers will have to bid farewell to politics.He said it would be advisable for them to bring back $ 32 million.

Rehman Malik said that his political rivals have sent him message that they would withdraw petitions if he stops statements against them. However he said he has decided to face them and he has lost his Ministry in this confrontation and cannot step back.

Asked to comment on Rana Sanaullah, Malik said he is a very powerful and influential persons and is among the 100 most powerful persons in the world. He said he has been given threats from Lashkar-e-Jhangvi but he has full faith in Allah Almight that when the time of death will come , no power can save him.