Countrywide rallies held in support of Pervez Musharraf

ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR: Protest rallies were staged in major cities of the country on Wednesday against the death sentence to former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf by the Special Court. The demonstrations were held in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Hyderabad and many other towns.

In Karachi, protesters gathered at the Karachi Press Club where they raised slogans against the verdict.Musharraf’s supporters said that a man who had no record of corruption did not deserve such treatment while those who had looted the country continued to roam free.

In Lahore, Punjab University administration, teachers and students took out a rally at New Campus to express solidarity with the Pakistan Army. The participants were carrying banners to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan Army. Addressing the rally, PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad said that we were enjoying independence only due to the sacrifices of Pakistan Army.

He said that the Pakistan Army is the number one Army in the world which is not only protecting the borders of the country but had also established peace in Pakistan after giving great sacrifices in war on terror.

He said conspiracies were being hatched to weaken Pakistan. He said that some elements were fanning propaganda to weaken state institutions and PU through this rally wanted to give a clear message to those elements that the people of Pakistan stood along with Pakistan Army and pay tribute to their sacrifices.

In Peshawar, the members of the Pakistan Nishan-e-Haider Party staged a rally. Carrying banners and placards, the protesters gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club. The leaders said that the decision was taken in haste and the due process of the law was not followed.

In Dera Bugti district, a rally started from Pakistan House and culminated at Kalma Chowk after different routes. The participants chanted slogans in favour of Musharraf and held banners and placards.

“Musharraf is our hero”, read one banner. Another said, “We reject the verdict against Pervez Musharraf”. In Mansehra, the activists of Tehreek-e-Inqilab took to the streets in support of former president Pervez Musharraf. The participants of the rally, which was taken out from Ghazikot township area, marched through roads and assembled at Karakoram Highway.

In Bajaur, a public rally was taken out in Inayat Killay against the Special Court’s verdict against Gen (r) Musharraf.

They were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the judgment. Speaking on the occasion, Abdur Rehman, Haji Muhammad, Muhammad Zaman and others said that the soldier who served the motherland for 40 years could not be a ‘traitor’.

They believed Gen(r) Musharraf was not given a right nor legal formalities to defend himself in the case.