PPP asks Nawaz to quit for letting Musharraf leave country

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party staged a protest demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club on Friday against the Nawaz Sharif government for letting General Pervez Musharraf leave Pakistan.

The protesters alleged that Musharraf was allowed to go abroad under a secret deal, as the government did not pursue serious charges like high treason against him in the courts. They demanded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down immediately.

However, the party only managed a poor show as hardly a hundred workers gathered behind the leaders including PPP Lahore President Samina Khalid Ghurki, Punjab General Secretary Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Lahore General Secretary Rana Ashar, Information Secretary Faisal Mir, Jahan Ara Wattoo, Nasir Khan and others.

The workers were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Gen Musharraf. They condemned the secret deal between the two and called them close buddies, playing enemies in the public. The termed it the darkest day for democracy when nation helplessly watched the worst dictator being flown out without any hindrance.

Besides the effigies of Nawaz Sharif and General Musharraf, the workers also set on fire several tyres. It filled the entire area with heavy smoke that caused a large number of people to experience difficulty in breathing. It also caused a traffic mess on all the area roads including Davis Road, Empress Road, Egerton Road, and Abbot Road etc.