OKARA: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry said the national security meeting in the National Assembly had nothing to do with security affairs of the country.

He claimed the meeting was called by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to promote his objectives. He also demanded an explanation from the prime minister about why the interior minister was missing from the meeting.

Chaudhry was talking to the media before addressing a gathering of party workers at the residence of MPA Chaudhry Masood Shafqat. MNA Rai Hasan Nawaz, PTI Provincial Joint Secretary Sobia Kamal and District President Chaudhry Azhar Mahmood were also present.

He said the PTI would accept the proposal of Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq for a recount in 10 constituencies if the prime minister announced before the international media he would resign if rigging was proved.

Chaudhry said the PML-N government had turned the whole country, especially Punjab, into a “jail” and Sharif was its “warder”.

He criticised the Punjab chief minister for his alleged excesses towards Dr Qadri and his workers.

He also condemned the “false case” registered against Dr Qadri and said all cases against Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers must be discharged.

Demonstration

The local chapter of international NGO Global Zero, led by Prof Jahangir Pervaiz, took out a procession from Mahboob Alam Chowk to the Okara Press Club.

The participants, including dozens of youths, were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans demanding an “atomic weapon-free peaceful world”.

While addressing the participants in front of the press club, Prof Pervaiz said Global Zero was struggling to end atomic weaponry for a peaceful world. They demanded all world powers abandon atomic and chemical weapons.

The NGO observed the day on the occasion of the anniversary of US atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2014