11 October 2004	Monday	25 Shaban 1425

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KARACHI, Oct 10: The Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), stressing the need for the restoration of true democracy in the country, has reiterated its demand for fresh elections which, it said, were inevitable to salvage Pakistan.

It also asked the rulers not to stop the popular leadership, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Ms Benazir Bhutto, from returning home. Speaking at a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Sunday, PML-N Sindh leaders Mamnoon Hussain, Sardar Rahim, Saleem Zia and Zahid Rafique Butt announced that 'black day' would be observed on Tuesday (October 12) across the province and protest rallies would be held in all district headquarters.

The PML-N leaders, workers and supporters would wear black arm-bands, hoist black flags at public places, offices, roads, streets and also atop their houses against the policies of the regime.

"Masses will express their hatred of the anti-people policies pursued and forced by the rulers who had usurped powers on this day five years back by toppling a legitimately elected government," they said.

The leaders claimed that the usurpers had caused irreparable losses to the country by devastating its political, social and democratic system, besides taking illegal control of all important institutions.

Rejecting any importance of uniform issue, they held that a person who had abrogated the Constitution to proclaim himself ruler of the country could not be acceptable to the nation, whether in uniform or otherwise. The PML-N, they categorically declared, had never recognized Gen Musharraf as president.

They attributed loss of life and property in terrorist attacks in Sialkot, Multan, Karachi and other parts of the country to the total failure of the regime in providing safety and security to citizens.

Despite this failure, they added, the regime had resorted to imposing a ban on public meetings which appeared to be a desperate attempt to prolong their unconstitutional rule. The PML-N leaders condemned the killing of Jameel Ahmad and Maulana Nazeer Ahmad Taunsvi on Saturday in Karachi when security forces had been put on red alert.