A diverse coalition of Pakistani and political and religious groups have geared up for a massive "long march" protest on July 8, Nigeria's The Guardian reported. The protests are described as the "first phase" of opposition to the reopening of NATO supply routes to Afghanistan. Granting NATO access to land routes is hugely unpopular in Pakistan. A "second phase" involving unidentified "practical" steps to disrupt the supply routes was also discussed by organizers.
Meanwhile, students hit the streets today in rallies against the government's decision.
The US Consluate in Lahore insisted that the American government, which has undertaken an illegal drone bombing campaign with extensive civilian casualties in Pakistan, had no "anti-Islam or anti-Pakistan policies." A message on Twitter instructed Pakistanis to "check out our facebook, twitter, etc and see for yourselves what we are up to every day."
Here is what the US government was up to on a recent day.
No word yet on when or if this image will be posted on the Consuate's "facebook, twitter, etc."
This seems unlikely, however, considering that a request that the Consulate use social media platforms to post the faces and real names of CIA agents it knows to be operating in Pakistan went unanswered.
Demonstrations demanding the complete withdrawal of NATO forces from the region are expected to intensify this week. Stay tuned.
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