June 25, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 20, 1429

ATTOCK, June 24: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz activist on Tuesday staged protest demonstrations in Attock, Hassanabdal, Chakwal and Gujar Khan against the disqualification of party Quaid Nawaz Sharif by Lahore High Court from taking part in by- elections.

The protesters blocked GT road near Hattian for about half- an-hour.

Hundreds of PML-N workers gathered at Fawara Chowk Attock city to stage a protest demonstration against the decision. The charged protesters burnt effigy of president Musharraf and chanted slogans against him and in favour of party leader Mian Nawaz Sharif.

Later, they proceeded to Hattian chowk on main GT road and blocked the road by burning tyres. The procession was led by local PML-N’s leaders.

They staged a sit-in for about 30 minutes, causing suspension of traffic on main GT road. They were chanting slogans against President Musharraf and the verdict.

On receiving information about the blockade the officials of local administration and National Highway Patrolling police rushed to the site to disperse the protesters and restore traffic.

No central PML-N leader participated in the protest demonstration, although party workers were expecting them, it has been observed.

Earlier, a large numbers of PML-N activists hailing form different parts of the Attock district including Jand, Pindigheb and Fatehjang also gathered on main GT road near Hassanabdal and blocked the road by burning tyres.

They staged a sit-in for about 45 minutes, causing suspension of traffic on main GT road. They were chanting slogans against President Musharraf and the verdict.

Speaking on the occasion, the PML-N leaders including former MPA Sardar Mohammad Ali Khan and Tahir Zaman Tahirkaili criticised the decision and termed it a political rather than a judicial decision and a conspiracy to sabotage the democratic system in the country.

They said that the country would be facing crisis after crisis till Pervez Musharraf was there calling the shots from the presidency.