Hafiz Saeed's DPC concludes protest march against reopening of NATO routes in capital

Islamabad, July 10 (ANI): Religious parties along with thousands of right-wing supporters reached Islamabad on Monday midnight amid heightened security measures, to mark the 'long march' against the reopening of NATO supply routes by Pakistan.

The protesters, who completed a 275-km journey from Lahore to Islamabad, arrived in the capital in a convoy of hundreds of buses, trucks and cars, carrying Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) flags, reports The Express Tribune.

Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who primarily sponsored and organised the protest march, advocated peace in the country.

"Islam means peace. We will establish peace in the country. No Muslim can take out swords against any other Muslim. We are taught by our Prophet to advocate our religion with our character," he said.

Saeed warned the U.S. that if they make any attempt to launch an attack on Pakistani soil, they will face similar resistance as they had faced in Afghanistan.

The DPC leaders announced that a similar long march would be organised from July 14 to 15 from Quetta to Chaman and from Peshawar to Torkhum from July 16 to 17.

Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamat, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Ansar ul Ummah, Awami Muslim League and other smaller groups participated in the protest march. (ANI)