ISLAMABAD, Sept 6: Family members of missing persons held a protest demonstration here on Defence Day, holding the army responsible for their agonies and miseries.

“The army, which is supposed to be the saviour of the nation, is in fact the institution which is killing, torturing, abducting and committing worst kinds of atrocities upon its own people,” said a protester as he joined other family members and chanted slogans against President General Pervez Musharraf.

Chanting anti-military slogans, the protesters including women and children held placards inscribed with messages such as “the whole world says enforced disappearances is a crime”, “how many loved ones will you hide in your torture cells” and “Massod Janjua and Faisal Fraz in illegal detention for 747 days”.

Standing at one corner of the Aabpara Chowk with scores of photographs of the missing persons laid out in front, they took turns and made speeches demanding that all their loved ones should be freed respectfully.

“Those against whom false and fabricated cases are being made should be freed immediately,” said a protester.

Another said the wrongdoings of the government, lies, harassment and state terrorism done in the name of “war on terror” must be put to an end.

Meanwhile, a PML-N convoy passing by also stopped to extend their support to the protesters causing a traffic jam at the Aabpara Chowk that lasted over an hour.