29 November 2004	Monday	16 Shawwal 1425

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

KARACHI, Nov 28: Heavy deployment of law-enforcement personnel was made on Sunday in and around Nishtar Park, venue of the public meeting organized by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal against the government policies.

A visit to the site showed that all the streets leading to the venue were closed for vehicular traffic and people were allowed to walk into the Park. However, the main roads, including M. A. Jinnah Road and Soldier Bazaar Road, remained open for traffic.

Law-enforcement agencies kept on marching on M. A. Jinnah Road while the public meeting was in progress. The police personnel deputed at each of the artery leading to the Park were guiding people to its main entrance.

Groups of people were seen marching towards the venue of the meeting after parking their vehicles on M. A. Jinnah Road. They were holding flags in their hands and raising slogans against the government, as well as in favour of their party.

Many of the banners put along the boundary wall of Nishtar Park and placards/posters the participants of the rally were holding, were inscribed with the slogan, 'Go Musharraf Go'.

At sunset, MMA leaders offered Maghrib prayers on the stage and the rally participants on the ground. The speakers resumed their speeches after the prayers. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, came in a car which was escorted by police and Rangers.

He was given a warm welcome by other MMA leaders and supporters. Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Amir of the Jamaat-i-Islami, had arrived earlier and was accorded welcome in a similar manner.

HIGH ALERT: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqi has cautioned people against possible acts of sabotage in the city, adds APP. Citing 'authentic information' in this regard, the minister said that people should remain cautious while travelling in public transport and visiting public places or recreational spots.

Mr Siddiqi said that after receiving the authentic information, he ordered 'high alert' in the city with regard to security measures. He said that in order to prevent occurrence of any incident of terrorism or sabotage, check-posts had been set up.