KARACHI, Nov 10: The secretary-general of the Pakistan People’s Party, Sindh chapter, Nafees Siddiqui, on Saturday announced that his party would stage protest demonstrations across the country on Sunday against the imposition of martial law under the garb of emergency, manhandling and arrests of political workers, lawyers and media men.

Speaking at a press conference, he claimed that over 5,000 PPP workers had been arrested throughout Pakistan.

Accompanied by local PPP leader, Saeed Ghani, Mr Siddiqui announced that the PPP Karachi division would stage a rally in front of the Karachi Press Club on Sunday.

He also criticised the government’s move to prevent Benazir Bhutto from addressing a rally in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Mr Siddiqui further announced that the PPP would organise a long march from Lahore to Islamabad led by PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Nov 13.

The PPP leader categorically said that his party would not tolerate martial law in the country as a result of which all the fundamental rights had been suspended and curbs had been imposed on media, lawyers and political activities.

Calling for an immediate restoration of the constitution and reinstatement of all judges, Mr Siddiqui urged the government to announce the schedule of general election.

For the holding of free and fair election, he urged the government to announce a new election commission and a new interim setup as according to him; the judges appointed under the PCO were not eligible for the slot. He also called for an immediate release of all lawyers and political activists.