Approximately 500 workers of Sunni Tehreek and Namoos-e-Risalat Mohaz carried out a rally from the Lahore Press Club to Geo News’ office at Davis Road on Tuesday. The protestors held banners in favour of the ISI and army with pictures of the DG ISI Zaheerul Islam and General Raheel Sharif. “Kadam barhao Pak Fauj, hum tumharay saath hain,” the protestors cried out, as well as ‘Bharat ka jo yaar hai, ghadaar hai, ghadaar hai’.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, one of the protestors said, “We are here in support of the Pakistan Army and ISI who are our heroes and the defenders of the Namoos e Risalat.” Another participant said that whoever is a ‘friend of India is a traitor, whether it is an individual or an organization or a TV channel’. “We are here to uplift the morale of our army and ISI who defend us from the enemies of Pakistan.” Another protestor said, “We will not allow any media group to defame the loyal Pakistan army and the ISI.”
A contingent of police officials was deployed at the Geo office and with the protestors as they travelled from Shimla Pahari to the Lahore Press Club.
Meanwhile, a rally was held in Islamabad as well to express solidity with the Pakistan Army. Over a dozen media personnel, and civil society members gathered at D-Chowk to express solidarity with the national security institution. The rally was organised by a private channel. The protestors demanded that the government shut down the media group initiating a ‘malicious campaign’ against the ISI.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2014.