Pakistani Religious Groups Announce Anti-Taliban Day

Islamists during an anti-Taliban and anti-U.S. protest rally in Islamabad.

LAHORE, Pakistan -- Religious groups in Pakistan have formed an anti-Taliban alliance at a gathering in the eastern city of Lahore.

The alliance -- whose members are all followers of the Barelvi movement of Sunni Islam -- urged authorities on February 26 to declare the Taliban and its supporters enemies of the state.

According to the alliance, dialogue with the Taliban is not possible.

The group also expressed its full support for efforts by Pakistan's armed forces and the government to eliminate the Taliban through military operations.

The alliance announced a nationwide anti-Taliban day on February 28, dubbed "Go Taliban Go."

Barelvi, also known as Ahle Sunnat wal Jama'at, is a movement of Sunni Islam originating in India that has more than 200 million followers.

The Pakistani military has renewed an offensive against the Taliban since peace efforts broke down earlier this month.

With reporting by Dawn.com