ISLAMABAD: Large scale protests and demonstration marked Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi’s visit to Pakistan in connection with the SAARC summit meeting. Public reaction to the visit was diametrically opposed to the warm official welcome. Whereas Benazir Bhutto seemed to bend backwards to accommodate the Indian guest, the people of Pakistan viewed every move of Gandhi with suspicion. Thousands of Pakistanis joined the protesting Kashmiris to express their solidarity with their cause. Observing the Kashmir Day, the protestors demanded right of self-discrimination for the Kashmiris and raised slogans like ‘Kashmir for Kashmiris,’ ‘Hands off Kashmir,’ ‘we do not accept Shimla Agreement’; ‘Friends of Rajiv are our enemies?’ These protests were held in Rawalpindi Lahore and Karachi.
In Lahore anti-Rajiv protest march was joined by lawyers, intellectuals and representatives of Hindu-Muslim Society, Sikh-Muslim Society, Muslim League and JamaiteIslami. The march was led by the opposition leader, Mr. Shuja Mahi.
Most of the newspapers Pakistan warned that the people of Pakistan will not accept any accord that goes against their national interests.
In Karachi police had to resort to lLathicharge against the Afghan demonstrators who wanted Raj: to stay out of Afghan affairs.
Kashmir Day was observed in all the major cities of Azad Kashmir on the call given by its President, Abdul Gayyum Khan. The purpose behind this sudden spurt of activity was to warn Benazir Bhutto against entering into some secret understanding with the Indian Prime Minister.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 13, 1989
