The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) will not allow supplies to NATO and United States troops stationed in Afghanistan from Pakistan, as these weapons are being used against innocent people in the Tribal Areas, JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed said on Thursday. He was addressing a rally against Pakistan providing logistic support to US and NATO forces in Afghanistan at Suekarno Square. Qazi said the US forces were attacking people in the Tribal Areas, but instead of disallowing transportation of arms to the forces, the government had succumbed to US and Indian pressure.
He said the transporters and companies carrying supplies to NATO forces were 'shameless'. "US presence in Afghanistan is a serious threat to Pakistan and its nuclear programme," the JI chief said.
He also criticised the Awami National Party (ANP), saying its history was replete with 'anti-Islam' actions. Qazi said the ANP had supported the Hindus in 1947, supported the Soviet Union and were now supporting the US. He said the ANP did not represent Pashtun population, who were a 'mujahid' nation, unlike the secular ANP.
"When government called us to form a consensus opinion on the aggressive Indian posture after the Mumbai attacks, we asked to stop the military operations in Swat, Bajaur and Mohmand agencies and other areas, as peace would remain illusive as long the operations continue," Qazi said.
JI NWFP chief Sirajul Haq alleged the ANP-led provincial government had surpassed all previous records of corruption, adding it must share the blame for the thousands of innocent people killed in military operations in the Tribal Areas and Swat.
The JI rally started from Hashtnagri Chowk and marching through GT Road reached Soekarno Square where the party leaders addressed it. The participants carried placards and chanted slogans against the US and the logistic support to NATO forces.