29 September 2004	Wednesday	13 Shaban 1425

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

SARGODHA, Sept 28: Pandemonium ruled the district council session when the speaker presented a resolution in favour of General Pervez Musharraf for continuing as army chief.

Reports said a special meeting of the council had been summoned on Tuesday at 10:00am but it was delayed due to lack of quorum and started at 11:30am. Speaker/district Naib Nazim Chaudhry Hamid Saleem Warriach presented the resolution urging General Musharraf to continue as COAS along with the president of Pakistan.

Suddenly PPP activist Malik Hamid Nawaz Awan supported by other members, including Akmal Shameel Gujar, Mrs Rukhsana Ali, and Nasreen Ashraf Bhatti opposed the resolution. They allegedly created disturbance in the hall and damaged the sound system.

Mr Awan said two small provinces had rejected the resolutions but the Punjab and particularly the district governments were supporting General Pervez Musharraf. He said only Sargodha district council opposition members did not allow the ruling clique to get the resolution approved.

The protesters were not more than 20 but it was surprising that a majority of treasury members showed no interest in the resolution. Of 222 members, only 106 were present when rumpus was observed in the house. Even District Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon was not present.

Meanwhile, the official handout claimed that the house approved the resolution terming continuation of Musharraf as army chief necessary for the solidarity, survival of democracy and integrity of the country.

The handout said three women councillors protested against non-payment of remuneration and warned of boycotting the next session. The council also voiced its concern over the non-availability of anti-rabies vaccine in public hospitals and demanded its provision immediately.