KARACHI, Oct 12: Acting President of the Pakistan Muslim League-N Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has said that the lone voice of resistance raised by Mian Nawaz Sharif on Oct 12, 1999, against the unconstitutional overthrow of an elected government had articulated into the creed of all the institutions, organizations, leaders and provinces in the country.

He was addressing a meeting of the party in a hall on Korangi Road on Sunday to mark the ‘Black Day’. The meeting was presided over by Zain Ansari, President of the ARD, Sindh.

Today even Benazir Bhutto and Qazi Hussain Ahmad, as well as leaders of all other parties believing in the supremacy of Constitution, parliament and democracy, are raising their voice for the restoration of the Constitution in its original form i.e. as it was before the Oct 12 military takeover, he said. All these leaders and democratic forces have now been refusing to accept the LFO, he pointed out. Terming Oct 12 ‘the blackest day in our history’, Mr Hashmi said that the four years of Gen Musharraf’s rule had brought only miseries for the people as the country was becoming poorer. Pakistan is the only country where no new firm has been registered with any stock exchange over the period.

The PML-N leader referred to the deteriorated law and order situation and said that even Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi were no more safe places as criminals remain at large after committing heinous crimes. The entire nation is feeling the heavy burden of soaring prices, he said.

He recalled that Nawaz Sharif had turned down Clinton’s six calls asking the PM not to conduct N-tests whereas, he deplored, Gen Musharraf on the very first call from George Bush not only bowed down but also became instrumental in eliminating Muslims in Afghanistan.

He reiterated the party’s stand that the generals involved in the Oct 12 overthrow must stand treason trial.

Earlier, Mr Hafeezuddin presented several resolutions on price-hike, rising unemployment and lawlessness in the country.

Mamnoon Hussain, Mushahidullah Khan, Shahnawaz, Salim Zia, Naeem Awan, Nihal Hashmi, Tariq Khan, Shahmir Khan and Rafique Butt also spoke.