Pak's Islamist party protests on 9/11 anniversary

Last Updated: Sunday, September 11, 2011, 23:56

Tags: Pakistan, protests, 9/11 anniversary

Pak`s Islamist party protests on 9/11 anniversary

Islamabad: Pakistan's main Islamist political party on Sunday used the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks to organise anti-American protests across the country, with its leaders claiming the incidents of a decade ago were part of a "conspiracy" against Muslims.

Addressing a rally in the eastern city of Lahore, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan claimed the 9/11 attacks were part of a "Jewish and American conspiracy" to create a bad image for Muslims around the world.

He further claimed that Pakistan's problems would be resolved if US drone strikes and military operations against militants were stopped.

Hundreds of people joined the "Go America go" rally, carrying flags and banners with slogans like 'Washington, Pentagon and CIA responsible for terrorism in the world' and '9/11 + Lies = War'.

In Islamabad, about 100 people shouted slogans and held up banners that repeated conspiracy theories alleging American or Israeli involvement in the 9/11 attacks.

Protests were also organised in Multan, Gujranwala, Karachi, Hyderabad, Jaffarabad, Nasirabad and Abbottabad, the garrison city where al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed in a US raid in May.

During these protests, Jamaat leaders criticised Pakistani lawmakers, claiming they were working on an "American agenda".

They also claimed that Pakistan had been made "a colony of the US".

PTI

First Published: Sunday, September 11, 2011, 23:54

Comments

Kevin - United States
Assalaamu `alaykum, Muslims of Pakistan. We are not at war with you. Do not start such a war, first with words, then followed by actions. The US does not want Pakistan, nor any nation in the Middle East. As Americans, we simply want peace. There may be those among us, who do not understand what that means, much like there are those among your people, that do not seem to understand how to bring about peace. But we must always work towards peace and be willing to give each other, the benefit of the doubt. Wrongs have been made on all sides. 9/11 DID happen. Osama bin Laden willingly accepted responsibility for those deaths. We did not seek war on Pakistan or any other Middle Eastern nations. War was brought to our doorstep, and we retaliated. Unfortunately, our efforts were not precise. But show us how any war machine ever will be precise and ONLY harm those intended. I truly grieve for your losses and do not agree with all things my governmnet does. But in the end, we must give each other the benfit of the doubt, if we are ever to establish peace across the world. Peace be upon you.