The business community, students, hawkers, doctors, teachers, government and private sector employees as well as lawyers have appreciated the response of the Chief of the Army Staff against the US threats.

District Bar Association (DBA) on Monday called an emergency meeting. All senior lawyers including DBA President Malik Jawad Khalid, General Secretary Sardar Manzar Bashir, Member Punjab Bar Council Ghulam Mustafa Kandwal, former High Court Bar Association President Sardar Asmatullah Khan and several others were present in the meeting.

The lawyers warned the US saying that the whole nation is with Pakistan Army. We would go shoulder-to-shoulder with the army. They demanded of the government to stop the Wana and Fata operations immediately and withdraw from the coalition of war on terrorism. The DBA president said that the present government should take all political parties in confidence adding the government should be a real guide of the nation at this time of trial and give tough time to Americans. He said that the government and army should not give mere statements but this is the time to act practically.

All Pakistan Traders Association President Sheikh Saddique said that the army should take bold and positive step against Americans and the whole nation is with Pakistan Army. Pakistan Army should play its vital role to make the country strong, he said. All political parties should shun their differences, he said.

Rawalpindi Division Lecturers Association President Professor Ilyas Qureshi strongly appreciated COAS s statement against US threats adding it boosted the morale of the nation.

Mutahidda Transport Union President Malik Muhammad Sultan said, As a nation we are strong but unfortunately not united giving an advantage to the enemy. America should know that we become one in testing times, he said.

Students belong to different political parties, civil society members and commoners warned the US saying they are with the Pakistan Army and would defeat American army in every field.

The legal fraternity assured their full support to the government and the Pakistan Army against the US threats. Lawyers have strongly condemned the US statements saying that America should stop blame game and shouldn t even think to take any action against the country, as all the Pakistanis are united and would save the country at all cost. Legal fraternity of the country is united and they are ready to support the government and the Pakistan Army, they added.

President Islamabad Bar Association Haroon Rasheed while talking to The News said that this is the time that the government should take stand and should tell the US that we are not depending upon the American aid and could live without it. He said although Pakistan is helping America in the fight against terrorism yet the US never defended us on any platform.

President Rawalpindi Bar Association Malik Jawad Khalid said that the government should call parliament session and debate the issue. We need unity at this time so all the political parties should become united to save the country.

General Secretary Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association Malik Saeed said that Pakistani nation has become united over the issue and honours the reaction of the government and Pakistan Army. Lawyers of the High Court Bar Association also assured full support to the government and the Pakistan Army, he added.