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| Pakistanis hardline groups stage Islamabad rally | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Pakistanis from religious and hardline groups have taken part in a rally in the capital, Islamabad. | |
| Protesters at the Defence of Pakistan gathering chanted anti-American slogans. | Protesters at the Defence of Pakistan gathering chanted anti-American slogans. |
| Defence of Pakistan is a coalition of about 40 mostly extremist parties - some of whom are banned at home and abroad as terror groups. | Defence of Pakistan is a coalition of about 40 mostly extremist parties - some of whom are banned at home and abroad as terror groups. |
| Several key extremist leaders linked to Defence of Pakistan were prevented by the authorities from attending. | Several key extremist leaders linked to Defence of Pakistan were prevented by the authorities from attending. |
| They include Hafiz Saeed, who heads the the Jamaat-ud-Dawa group, widely seen as a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks in India. Jamaat-ud-Dawa denies it operates as a front for militancy. | They include Hafiz Saeed, who heads the the Jamaat-ud-Dawa group, widely seen as a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks in India. Jamaat-ud-Dawa denies it operates as a front for militancy. |
| 'In pieces' | 'In pieces' |
| "Today, we have gathered here to raise a voice of protest against US intervention in Pakistan," one cleric, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, told the AFP news agency. | "Today, we have gathered here to raise a voice of protest against US intervention in Pakistan," one cleric, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, told the AFP news agency. |
| "Our protest is against the possible resumption of Nato supplies, US and Indian occupation and to strengthen the country's defence," Mr Haq said. | "Our protest is against the possible resumption of Nato supplies, US and Indian occupation and to strengthen the country's defence," Mr Haq said. |
| He accused the US in particular of wanting "to break Pakistan into pieces", referring to a resolution sponsored by three US lawmakers calling for self-determination in the insurgency-torn south-western province of Balochistan. | He accused the US in particular of wanting "to break Pakistan into pieces", referring to a resolution sponsored by three US lawmakers calling for self-determination in the insurgency-torn south-western province of Balochistan. |
| Also attending the rally was former ISI intelligence head Hamid Gul, who is alleged to have played a role in supporting mujahideen fighters against Soviet troops in Afghanistan, groups that eventually gave rise to al-Qaeda and the Taliban | Also attending the rally was former ISI intelligence head Hamid Gul, who is alleged to have played a role in supporting mujahideen fighters against Soviet troops in Afghanistan, groups that eventually gave rise to al-Qaeda and the Taliban |
| Correspondents say that Mr Gul's presence has fuelled suspicions that elements of Pakistan's security establishment is covertly backing Defence of Pakistan to exert pressure on the government over its ties with the US. Mr Gul has long denied that he has any links with insurgents. | Correspondents say that Mr Gul's presence has fuelled suspicions that elements of Pakistan's security establishment is covertly backing Defence of Pakistan to exert pressure on the government over its ties with the US. Mr Gul has long denied that he has any links with insurgents. |
| Defence of Pakistan uses Twitter and Facebook to promote its message. It was set up after US air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border in late November, which saw Pakistan shut the border to Nato supplies. | Defence of Pakistan uses Twitter and Facebook to promote its message. It was set up after US air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border in late November, which saw Pakistan shut the border to Nato supplies. |
| The coalition has already attracted large crowds at other rallies across the country in the run-up to general elections, which some observers believe could be called later this year. | The coalition has already attracted large crowds at other rallies across the country in the run-up to general elections, which some observers believe could be called later this year. |