12 June 2004	Saturday	23 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, June 11: Members of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Friday staged a walkout in the National Assembly when Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain ruled out a point of order raised by one of its members regarding 'victimization' of the opposition.

The People's Party Parliamentarians (PPP) MNA from Kasur Chaudhry, Manzoor Ahmed, speaking on a point of order, drew the attention of the house towards 'victimisation' of two brothers of Malik Liaquat Ali Dogar, the MNA from Multan.

Chaudhry Manzoor said the elder brother of the MNA, Malik Salahuddin Dogar, had been convicted for paying less amount as stamp duty on a land, which he had purchased some 20 years ago. He said a heavy fine of over Rs10 million had also been imposed on Salahuddin Dogar.

He said Liaquat Dogar's another brother, Shaukat Dogar, had been given 10-year imprisonment only for changing the colour of the car. He said the two brothers had been convicted as part of the government's victimisation policy.

Chaudhry Manzoor said the government had changed the meanings of several words and now he could not even call himself a patriot. He regretted that those who changed their loyalties were inducted into the cabinet as ministers and those in the opposition were being punished.