Rally opposes Pakistan’s joining of 34-country military alliance

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of people, belonging to civil society, political parties and student organisations took out a rally on Thursday here to register opposition to Pakistan becoming part of the  34-country military alliance. At the end, a resolution was unanimously passed, calling on Pakistan to first focus on terror-related issues back home, crush the menace of terrorism and restore law and order, prior to even considering the option of joining the alliance.

The rally, organised by Tehreek Himayat Mazloomin Jahan Pakistan, began from the National Press Club and concluded at the D-Chowk. Scores of young and old, males and females and children also strongly condemned execution of prominent religio-political leader Ayatollah Sheikh Baqir al-Nimr .

Speakers, including Gulle Zahra, Allama Ejaz, Akbar Ali and Umar Riaz Abbasi, urged  the government not to become party to the alliance.  The rally coincided with the arrival of Saudi Arabia's foreign minister.