The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) teamed up with the outlawed Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) on Sunday to declare slain al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden the ‘martyr of Islam’ at the Istehkaam-e-Pakistan Caravan on The Mall.
The right-wing parties denounced the US interference in Pakistan’s affairs and held the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led federal government responsible for the Abbottabad operation but avoided criticising the military and intelligence agencies’ failure. Speakers demanded canceling the strategic partnership with the US, stopping drone attacks in FATA, freeing the Shamsi Airbase from US forces, canceling visas of Americans and deporting US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Mentor for allegedly committing blasphemy.
JuD chief Hafiz Saeed criticised the media for not declaring Osama a martyr. He said that Americans did not have the courage to present Osama in courts. “I challenge India to come to any court, I’ll prove that India and not Hafiz Saeed is a terrorist,” the JuD chief said. Saeed remained supportive of the military leadership and put all the blame on the federal government. He threatened India with dire consequences if it carried out strikes against Pakistan. JuD leaders Hamza and Abdul Rehman condemned the Indian demand of arresting Saeed and handing him over. “India should hand over Narendra Modi, Bal Thackeray and
Colonel Perwaht to Pakistan because of their involvement in the Gujrat riots and Samjhota Express incident,” Hamza said. Quoting an unnamed general, he said that a group in the armed forces is ready to fight the US if ordered.
JI leader Farid Paracha said, “Saeed is not now a leader of the JuD only but of all religious parties of Pakistan.” He demanded making military training compulsory for all citizens. PTI leader Ijaz Chaudhry said that PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been demanding US exit from the region for years. “Until the American leave, there will be no peace in our country,” he said. The JuD called for funeral prayers in absentia for Osama in all cities of Pakistan. PML-N Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Naseer Bhutta, contrary to his party policy, spoke in favour of the military and said that they will never let the armed forces insulted in front of anyone.
