Pak hard-line groups participate in Difa-e-Pakistan rally about 10 minutes' drive from parliament

Islamabad, Feb 21 (ANI): Pakistani religious and hard-line groups took part in a rally organised by Difa-e-Pakistan in Islamabad on Sunday, only about 10 minutes' drive from parliament.

The BBC report says the rally was held in one of the busiest districts of the capital, only about 10 minutes' drive from parliament, and that the authorities made no attempt to stop it.

Speakers denounced the intervention of Washington in Pakistan, and protesters chanted anti-American slogans.

One of the speakers called for every child in Pakistan to join the jihad, or Holy War.

"Today, we have gathered here to raise a voice of protest against US intervention in Pakistan," a cleric, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, said.

"Our protest is against the possible resumption of Nato supplies, US and Indian occupation and to strengthen the country's defence," he added.

According to reports, the authorities had stopped several extremist leaders linked to Difa-e-Pakistan from attending the rally.

They include Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, whose organization is widely seen as a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks in India. Jamaat-ud-Dawa denies it operates as a front for militancy. (ANI)