Islamic militants march in northwestern Pakistani city in support of Taliban

By RIAZ KHAN
Associated Press Writer

MARDAN, Pakistan – Urging the army to overthrow President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, thousands of Islamic militants marched in this northwestern city Friday to protest their government's support for the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan.

"Musharraf is a risk for Pakistan," Islamic cleric Qazi Hussain Ahmad told the 10,000-strong crowd, many of them ethnic Pashtuns, the largest ethnic group in neighboring Afghanistan.

Qazi said Musharraf – an army general who seized power in 1999 – should be deposed. "The sooner, the better," the cleric said.

The protest in Mardan was the largest of several throughout Pakistan on Friday, the Muslim holy day and the usual time for pro-Taliban demonstrations against the United States.

Smaller rallies were also held in the cities of Lahore, Karachi and Quetta.

Musharraf has endorsed the U.S.-led military campaign, and allowed Americans to use Pakistani bases for what his government says is logistical support.

The overwhelming majority of Pakistan's 145 million people are Muslim, and the anti-U.S. rallies have attracted relatively modest numbers considering the national population.

However, Islamic militants have vowed to step up protests against Musharraf and pledge a nationwide civil disobedience campaign Nov. 9.

At Mardan, protesters cheered when Qazi asked if they were ready to join a holy war against America. They raised their hands, volunteering.

"Bush has waged war against Islam and we will defeat him with the power of faith," Qazi said. "It is the duty of every Muslim to support Taliban who are fighting against a mighty power."

Qazi, president of Pakistan's main Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami, insisted his call for a coup was not designed to cause a rift in Pakistan's military.

"I am not issuing seditious statements against the Pakistan army," Qazi said.

"I have just asked the generals to protect the country's last disciplined and organized national institution by removing Musharraf, who wants to use it for appeasing America," Qazi said, in a reference to Pakistan's army.

Police and paramilitary troops stood guard by the hundreds at the rallies, keeping the protests in check.

AP-WS-11-02-01 1014EST