24 November 2004	Wednesday	11 Shawwal 1425

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LAHORE, Nov 23: MMA president Qazi Husain Ahmad has advised PPP workers not to celebrate the release of Asif Zardari and instead protest against the government for keeping their leader in jail for eight years without establishing any charge against him.

In a statement on Tuesday, he said the celebrations might cause doubts among other opposition parties that the release was a result of some deal. He believed that the step would also damage the anti-Musharraf movement.

He urged the ARD and the PPP leadership to immediately come out on roads against Musharraf instead of waiting for Dec 6 for the purpose. The ARD is holding its first public meeting against the government in Peshawar on Dec 6, while the MMA in Karachi on Nov 28.

Qazi Husain also called on higher courts judges and legislative institutions to frame laws for preventing any innocent citizens from undergoing long imprisonment without establishing any charge against them.

MJAH: Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith president Prof Sajid Mir says separate movements of the MMA and the ARD will only benefit the government. Prof Mir is also vice-president of the MMA.

In a statement, he said only joint struggle of both the alliance could force the government to wrap up. He did not see any impact on the anti-Musharraf drive due to Zardari's release.

He demanded the release of PML-N acting president Javed Hashmi, who is behind bars in a sedition case. He said it was time that exiled leaders (Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif) were also allowed to return home keeping in view the situation the country was facing on international fronts.