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For
those who support the cause of progress, development and reality,
SAY
NO
TO WAR!
NO
TO TERRORISM!
JOIN
US FOR A PEACE RALLY TO JOIN THIS CALL ON:
TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 6TH,
2001
3PM
LIAQUAT
BAGH, RAWALPINDI
The
American military strikes on Afghanistan have plunged the world
into a cycle of violence with no definite end in sight. This
violent response to the attacks of September 11th
reflect an acute short-sightedness and lack of vision, and a
blatant reminder that the government of the USA continues to serve
its own narrow self-interest at the cost of entire nations. This
military campaign has no real aim, no justification, and loss to
life and property can not continue to be termed inadvertent
“collateral damage”. The USA continues to act unilaterally and
without concern for international law. Its “international
coalition” is one of aggression. WE DEMAND THAT THE AMERICAN
MILITARY OPERATION IN AFGHANISTAN BE HALTED IMMEDIATELY!
Simultaneously,
extremist jihadi forces in Pakistan and across the world
have made calls for violence to “defend Islam” against the
Americans. This is not a conflict between Islam and the West as
these groups have made it out to be. The people of Pakistan are
fed up with the antics of these dictatorial groups, as the people
of Afghanistan are fed up with the tyranny of the Taliban. These
extremist forces must be undermined systematically, and citizens
must come together to resist their uncompromising and violent
version of Islam. WE DEMAND THAT STATE SPONSORSHIP FOR SUCH
EXTREMISM BE HALTED IMMEDIATELY!
The
only way to secure lasting peace and prosperity for the majority
of Pakistanis is to stop calls for war from all sides. The right
of all citizens to voice their opinions should be protected,
without any individual or group being allowed to disrupt the rule
of law. Basic rights such as livelihood, shelter, and food
security should be ensured, and the best way to ensure these
rights is through the exercise of all civil and political rights.
The military government is illegal and does not have the mandate
of the people. It has failed to address the common problems faced
by average Pakistanis. WE DEMAND THAT ALL CIVIL AND POLITICAL
RIGHTS BE PROTECTED AND DEMOCRACY BE RESTORED IMMEDIATELY!
The
humanitarian crisis facing Afghanistan and Pakistan in turn is
worsening by the day. The indiscriminate bombing of civilians in
Afghanistan has increased the fear within that country and is
pushing more people to flee their homes. The build-up of refugees
at the Pakistan border is alarming. Promises of aid from the
Western world have not been matched with action and the problem
has already spun out of proportion. The prospects of Pakistan
hosting more refugees than the 2 million it already harbours are
also very slim. The military operation must be stopped immediately
so refugees can return to their homes. WE DEMAND THAT THE
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS BE DEALT WITH PROPER COMMITMENT AND ALL
REFUGEES BE RETURNED AND REHABILITATED!
This
conflict will fast spiral into a long drawn-out war if care is not
taken to avoid further violence. PAKISTANIS DO NOT WANT WAR.
PAKISTANIS DO NOT WANT EXTREMIST VIOLENCE. It is time for the
USA to realize that extremist violence can not be combated by
violence. Political solutions must be utilized, and support for
extremist groups will decrease when political solutions target the
real inequalities and injustices in Pakistan and elsewhere in the
world. WE DEMAND THAT THE UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BE EMPOWERED TO
EMBARK ON A PEACE MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN TO END THE CONFLICT AND
BRING SUSPECTED EXTREMISTS TO TRIAL IN AN INTERNATIONAL COURT!
ALLIANCE
FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE
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