October 21, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 8, 1428

RAWALPINDI, Oct 20: The Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza of the victims of Karachi carnage turned out to be a massive public gathering in Liaquat Bagh on Saturday.

The call was given by the local leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

A large number of party workers and hundreds of people from different walks of life including officials of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and Rawal Town Municipal Administration were present on the occasion.

Those who had gone to Karachi to receive Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto and survived the twin blasts recalled the tragic event and chanted slogans against extremism and politics of violence.

The PPP-nominated candidates for the seats of provincial and national assemblies also attended the Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza and prayed for the well-being of those injured in the incident.

Some of the PPP workers demanded that the government should arrest those responsible for the tragedy and give them exemplary punishment.

Lawyers observe strike: The legal fraternity on Saturday observed strike and boycotted court proceedings to protest against the Karachi carnage.

They mourned for those who lost their lives or received injuries during the blasts in the rally of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

Islamabad Bar Association observed strike against the Karachi carnage.

Secretary-general of the bar, Syed Mohammad Tayyib, termed the blasts a shameful incident and expressed sorrow over loss of precious human lives.

“We believe terrorists are the enemy of humanity,” he said, adding that the strike was aimed at expressing solidarity with the victims’ families.

TAXILA: The legal fraternity of Taxila and Wah Cantonment observed complete strike and boycotted the courts to protest against terrorism in Karachi.

Call for a country-wide strike was given by the National Action Committee of the Pakistan Bar Council. Although the courts were open, but no lawyer attended them.

During a meeting, the Taxila Bar Association unanimously condemned the Karachi blasts and demanded arrest of those who were involved in the heinous crime.

Due to the strike, under- trial prisoners, brought from Adiala Jail, could not be presented in courts, and litigants suffered.

PPP: Meanwhile, political leaders have condemned the killing of innocent people in Karachi.

“PPP (Pakistan People’s Party) will defeat all undemocratic forces in the forthcoming general elections and would also form its government in the centre, Punjab and Sindh,” said PPP Taxila chapter leader Malik Najeebur Rehman while talking to newsmen.

He said that Ms Bhutto’s return meant the defeat of puppet leaders who had “enjoyed power under the umbrella of the military”.

He underscored the need for unity among people, saying that the Pakistan People’s Party was the only party which had routes in the four provinces.

Responding to a question, he said that the former prime minister fulfilled her promise and returned to Pakistan.

He said that the Supreme Court had not suspended the National Reconciliation Ordinance.