Some 5,000 peace activists, including women, rallied in Karachi on Sunday to denounce a series of terror attacks that has claimed at least 50 lives last month, witnesses said. Chanting âNo to terrorism, yes to peaceâ, and âNo to guns, yes to pensâ, marchers carrying banners, placards and national flags paraded in the streets. Governor Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar and city Nazim Naimatullah Khan spearheaded the peace rally. âThe people of Karachi want peace, economic prosperity. We will not allow terrorism in the name of Islam,â Mr Ibad told participants.
| "We'll only allow it in the name of... ummm... something else." |
The rally started from Shara-e-Quaideen Chowk and ended at the gate of Quaid-s Mausoleum where the governor, the chief minister and the nazim addressed the marchers before offering fateha for victims of the recent terrorist acts in Karachi. The rally was attended by people from all walks of life including prominent businessmen, industrialists, artists, social workers, students, non-governmental organisations, members of the Sindh cabinet, Sindh Assembly, National Assembly and Senate. Police had shut down roads leading to the mausoleum and traffic was diverted to Khuda Dad Chowk. Governor Ibad addressed the rally and renewed his pledge to revive the true spirit and charms of the city by uniting Karachiites. The governor said the terrorists had only succeeded in temporarily disturbing Karachiâs peace. âWe, the people of Karachi, will foil their conspiracy and eliminate them in the long run,â he added.
"How long a run?"
"'Bout 8,000 years, I think." |
He said the terrorists neither belonged to Karachi nor to Sindh. They were not Pakistanis and could not be Muslims, as a Muslim could not kill other Muslims, splutter; he added. He also said the Sindh government had restored peace in the city. He asked the business community to remain united and promote their businesses. agencies |