Pakistanis protest reopening of NATO supply lines

Islamabad, July 8 (IANS) An alliance of Islamic and political parties in Pakistan Sunday staged a protest motorcade against the government's decision to reopen the supply lines for NATO forces in Afghanistan.

Hundreds of activities of the alliance, the Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC), took part in the motorcade from Lahore to Islamabad, Xinhua reported.

It will pass through several major cities of Punjab province before reaching here Monday after covering some 280 km.

Pakistan closed the supply lines after 24 Pakistani troops were killed in a NATO airstrike last November.

It reopened them this month following an apology from US secretary of State Hilary Clinton over the loss.

Rehman Malik, prime minister's advisor on interior affairs, said the government will not intervene if the marchers remain peaceful.

Chief of DPC Maulana Samiul Haq has appealed to the people to join the protest.

Leader of Jamaat-e-Islami party, Munawar Hasan, criticised the government's decision and said it wants to get involve in the Afghan war.

Tight security measures were put in place for the march.