October 1, 2002	Tuesday	Rajab 23, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: Chanting slogans for holding free and fair and elections, and for ending corruption, about 300 children of a private school staged a demonstration in front of Dawn office here on Monday.

“Our message to the prospective members of the Parliament is that they should forget the politics of confrontation and work for welfare of the general public,” a participant said.

Majority of the children were in the age group of four to six years. Following the instructions of their teachers, they stood in a formation, holding colourful placards inscribed with various slogans.

A schoolteacher, talking to this reporter, said the rally, titled “Dil Dil Pakistan”, had been arranged to impress upon the candidates and voters that a better tomorrow for young generation was only possible if sincere people were elected to form the next government.

She said the country had already suffered a lot at the hands of so-called champions of democracy, who did not have more to offer. “Therefore, with the help of these innocent students who have nothing to do with the on-going electioneering, we want to let the people know that they (children) will suffer if the same old lot is elected.”

To a question, the teacher said the demonstration was totally an impartial effort, free of any political affiliation.

The placards were inscribed with slogans such as, “Our better future is in your hand”, “While casting your vote, apply your mind and elect trustworthy people who can better serve your interests”.