ISLAMABAD, March 31: The Pakistan People?s Party condemned the arrest of Senator Raza Mohammad Raza of Pakhtoonkhawa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) in Peshawar on Thursday afternoon and demanded his immediate release. The senator was reportedly arrested along with 27 other political activists in Peshawar as a complete strike was observed on a call given by Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement (Ponam) to protest against price-hike, Kalabagh dam and restoration of provincial autonomy.

The Ponam strike call was also supported by the PPP within the framework of the 1973 Constitution. In a statement on Thursday, the party?s vice-chairman, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, said the protesters were demanding restoration of their legitimate rights and it was within the bounds of law that they were agitating against the government?s policies.

The voice of the protesters should have been heeded to rather than arresting them, he said. Mr Fahim sought immediate release of Senator Raza Mohammad Raza and all other activists.?Staff Reporter