Islamabad:
Even as the Pakistani government talks about cracking down on terror groups, Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin addressed a rally in Islamabad.
Salahuddin made 'anti-India' remarks at that rally, organised by the Pakistan chapter of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) near the radical Lal Masjid.
Salahuddin was among several Kashmiri militant leaders who addressed the rally organised to protest against the alleged human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was attended by scores of protesters who shouted slogans against the Indian government and the Army.
Salahuddin, also the head of the United Jihad Council (UJC), said the Kashmiri people were making sacrifices for the "independence" of Jammu and Kashmir.
"If the Pakistan government could not protect the interests of the Kashmiris, it should step aside as they are capable of fighting for their cause," he said.
The rally was also addressed by leaders of the Mirwaiz and Gilani factions of APHC and other separatist leaders from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
After lying low for several years during the tenure of former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who had cracked down on Kashmiri militants groups, Salahuddin has emerged since last year to lead several protests and rallies.
Most of these protests have been organised in Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK, and this was the first time Salahuddin spoke in public in Islamabad in several years. (With PTI inputs)