October 13, 2003	Monday	Sha'aban 16, 1424

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PESHAWAR, Oct 12: The Pakistan Muslim League-N on Sunday observed a black day, marking the fourth anniversary of the dismissal of its government on Oct 12, 1999, and announced its intention to join the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy in its campaign against Gen Pervez Musharraf to be launched from Oct 24.

The PML-N activists established a hunger strike camp at the Khyber Bazaar where party leaders, including its general secretary Saranjam Khan, provincial president Pir Sabir Shah as well as Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, spoke to party workers.

Saranjam Khan said that Oct 12 would be remembered as the day when democracy was assassinated.

Referring to the party’s intention to join ARD’s movement, Mr Khan said that the ARD would continue its movement till the ouster of Gen Musharraf and his B-team from corridors of power. He said that PML workers would strive for restoration of true democracy, disallowing a dictator to prolong his rule.

Pir Sabir Shah blamed Gen Musharraf of engendering a culture of horse trading, political victimisation, lawlessness, spiralling price hike and unemployment, he said that the general, who had come to power in the name of accountability, had inducted corrupt and NAB-affected people in the Jamali government.

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra accused Gen Musharraf of pursuing what he termed irrational and selfish policies, tarnishing the public image of Pakistan Army.

The country, he said, was witnessing progressive rise in poverty and unemployment for the past four years because of the wrong policies of the military ruler.

PML-N leader Arbab Khizar Hayat Khan staged a token hunger strike at University Road here.

According to a press release, issued by the PML-N’s Fata chapter, the party cadre observed a black day, held protest rallies besides staging hunger strikes in various parts of the tribal areas.

A hunger strike camp was established at Jamrud in the Khyber Agency, where party leaders, including Haji Maroof Khan, Mosam Khan Afridi, Shiraz Khan, Abdul Malik, Haji Farman and Aseel Khan spoke to party workers.