Pakistani groups promise pro-Taliban rallies

Pakistan's Islamic groups say they will continue nationwide rallies in support of the Taliban.

The Pakistani groups are also demanding the ousting of Pakistan's president, Gen Pervez Musharraf.

There will be more rallies, protests and strikes against General Pervez Musharraf, who is taking dictation from the United States and allowing our soil and airspace to be used against Afghanistan Munawaar Hasan, secretary general of Pakistan’s Islamic Party

The Afghan Defence Council, a collection of 35 Islamic groups, are planning a meeting in Islamabad to announce the protest programme.

"There will be more rallies, protests and strikes against General Pervez Musharraf, who is taking dictation from the United States and allowing our soil and airspace to be used against Afghanistan," said Munawaar Hasan, secretary general of the Jamaat-e-Islami (Islamic Party).

Mr Maulana Samiul Haq, head of the Afghan Defence Council, said he wants the protests to remain peaceful. Mr Haq, who has been placed under house arrest, is one of several prominent Islamic leaders to be detained by Musharraf's government.

Dozens of people have been killed in protests throughout Pakistan.

But the protests have not proved to be a serious threat to Gen Musharraf's government so far, and Pakistan's main political parties are supporting the government's policies.