JuD chief Hafiz Saeed targets India on Kashmir

New Delhi: The Jamaat-ud-dawa chief Hafiz Saeed has stepped up his anti-India, anti-US rant. Addressing a rally of 40 religious and political parties in Multan, Saeed has called for revenge against India and the liberation of Kashmir. He has also demanded a review of Pak-US ties. Saeed's increasing public campaign comes at a time of the political crisis in Pakistan and speculation whether he's being propped up by elements within the Pakistan establishment to deflect attention.

"We have to defend Pakistan, we have to liberate Kashmir. And we have to take revenge on India, starting from East Pakistan to Samjhauta Express, Inshaallah (God willing)," he said.

The extremist leader also warned the government that they would protest outside parliament if any step is taken to reopen the supply routes which were closed after a cross-border NATO air strike killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November last year.

Saeed claimed the US had started propaganda targeting Pakistan and the members of the Defa-e-Pakistan Council, which organised protest, would defend the country's "ideological frontiers".

He claimed if these people "adopt an aggressive stance and try to attack Pakistan, the US will break up."

The rally was also addressed by former Inter-Services Intelligence chief Hamid Gul, Pakistani politician Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Ijaz-ul-Haq, the son of former dictator General Zia Ul Haq.

Addressing the rally, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan said any resolution adopted by parliament for restoring the NATO supply routes would be tantamount to a betrayal of Pakistan.

"We will gherao parliament and stage a dharna if NATO supplies are restored," he said.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Sami) chief Sami-ul-Haq too addressed the gathering and said that if "US, Israel, India or NATO forces" attacked Pakistan, the Defa-e-Pakistan Council will retaliate with "full force".

Haq said the Council wants to free Pakistan "from the clutches of the US and its allies" and end US drone attacks in the country s tribal belt.

Ahl-e-Sunnat wal Jamaat head Ahmed Ludhianvi warned that if the government reopens NATO supply routes, workers of his party would block them.

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