Pashtuns stage ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ rally in Lahore

LAHORE: The Pakistan Zindabad Movement staged a rally here Saturday to express solidarity with the Pakistan Army and pledged all-out support for country’s security and integrity.

The ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ rally travelled from Shahdara to Charing Cross on The Mall, by the Pashtun community living in Lahore. A large number of Pashtun tribal leaders and the youth participated in the rally. They were holding Pakistani flags, placards and banners inscribed with slogans in favour of Pak Army and the sacrifices offered by Pashtuns for the country.

The rally starting from Shahdara passed through Batti Chowk, Data Darbar, Nasser Bagh, The Mall, and culminated at Charing Cross, in front of the Punjab Assembly. At various points the movement's leaders, Haris Khan Kakar, Syed Kazim Gilani Pir Pathan, Nizam Khan Zahir Shah, Sayed Wali Shah and Saeed Shah addressed the rally.

In his presidential address at Charing Cross, chief of the Pakistan Zindabad Movement Pir Syed Agha Tariq Gilani said the purpose of staging the rally is to make it clear that the Pashtuns would stand by Pakistan Army and the Judiciary through all trials and tribulations.

He said the loyalty with the country is in the blood of Pashtuns, and they are ever ready to sacrifice their lives for the motherland. The speakers appreciated the role of the judiciary for giving verdicts against the corrupt elements and giving rights to the downtrodden segments of the society.

They said the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa lacked health and education facilities for the poor and regretted that the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has withheld CNICs of thousands of Pashtuns. They called upon the Authority to simplify the procedure for obtaining the CNICs. At the end of the rally, special prayers were held for Pakistan, its security and integrity and the prosperity of its people.

Meanwhile, addressing another rally staged outside the Lahore Press Club, speakers said the entire Pashtun community is standing with the armed forces . They said Manzoor Pashteen has no link with the Pashtun community, as he was dividing the community. People had to face serious traffic problems at Simla Pahari roundabout and at the Charing Cross throughout almost all the day.