Ex-servicemen, SIC, ASWJ rally for army

LAHORE: Dozens of ex-service men staged a protest demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club on Monday and expressed their complete support to the army and the ISI.

The demonstration was led by former ISI chief Let Gen (retd) Hamid Gul and his son Abdullah Gul. A large number of students also participated in the protest carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of the army and the ISI.

Hamid Gul on the occasion condemned the allegations against the ISI and its chief, saying such campaigns would hurt the morale of the defence forces, fighting evil to protect the country. He said the media should present news and other contents with responsibility.

He said accusing state institutes without any proof would not serve the country, adding that the whole nation stood united with the army at the current crucial juncture.Meanwhile, the 10-day programme to express support to the army organised by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) is in full swing across the country.

In this connection, ‘Long Live Pak Army’ conference and rallies are being organised in many major cities and towns.SIC Deputy Secretary-General Tariq Mehboob Siddiqui announced that the movement would continue till the people levelling allegations against the army were punished. The media assault on the Pakistan Army was equivalent to an attack on Pakistan, he added.

It was a duty to raise a voice in favour of the guardians of Pakistan’s geographical frontiers and they would continue to perform the same. The SIC would intensify the movement in solidarity with the army, Siddiqui said.

SIC Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza, while addressing a general council meeting, said India had benefited from the accusation that the ISI had attacked Hamid Mir.Raza said the federal information and defence ministers along with the Punjab law minister were on the forefront in opposing the army. He asked the prime minister to sack these anti-army ministers.

He said the SIC would fully support PTI and PAT in their movement against rigging.In Rahim Yar Khan, an Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leader said that Hamid Mir was attacked by the same forces that wanted to defame the ISI. He was addressing a rally here taken out by Mian Ahsan and Rana Javaid.