PESHAWAR: Protest demonstrations continued for the second day on Saturday in various towns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata, condemning US President Donald Trump for declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In a statement issued here, Pakistan People’s Party provincial president Mohammad Hamayun Khan warned that such decisions would lead to violence in the world and its responsibility would rest with the US.

He said the PPP stood by the Palestinians and would never allow the handover of Masjid-i-Aqsa to infidels. He urged the Muslim states to take strong decisions at this critical juncture. He said Islamic countries, including Pakistan, should evolve a unanimous strategy in that regard.

The PPP leader said the US president’s statement was a big blow to the world peace, adding the decision had further pushed Middle East into the flames of war.

In Karak, activists of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Sami organised a rally against the US president for recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and urged the Ummah to sever diplomatic relations with Washington.

The rally was led by former MNA Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz Mujahid.

The speakers said the announcement had exposed the real face of the US and expressed the resolve to continue protesting against the US president’s decision to show solidarity with the people of Palestine. They asked the rulers of Muslim countries to officially boycott the US products and sever diplomatic relations with the country to force it to change its decision.

In Mohmand Agency, demonstrations were held at the Main Mandi Bazaar in Haleemzai tehsil and Haji Sahib Turangzai Lakaro in Safi tehsil against the US president’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The protesters were chanting slogans against the US president and Israel. Local elders and ulema also participated in the demonstrations, and condemned Trump for hurting the feelings of Muslims around the world.

In Lower Dir, legal fraternity boycotted court proceedings and staged protest rallies in Chakdara, Timergara, Samarbagh and Lal Qila against the Trump’s decision to declare Jerusalem as Israeli capital. The lawyers’ boycott troubled the litigants.

A function was held at the Timergara district bar with bar president Jehan Bahadar in the chair.

The Chakdara bar members marched to the press club, condemning the US president’s policy on Middle East. They urged Muslims to get united against the oppressors.

The lawyers at Samarbagh and Lal Qila Maidan bars also boycotted courts and staged demonstrations.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2017