KARACHI, May 2: The Pakistan People’s Party on Monday staged a protest rally warning the rulers to desist from using arm tactics against PPP workers and stated that the Punjab government’s intolerant attitude towards the party workers was a sign of its weakness.

Addressing the rally outside the Karachi Press Club, PPP central information secretary Taj Haider, additional information secretary Waqar Mehdi, N.D. Khan, Rahil Iqbal and others said that the PPP believed in the power of people and it would restore true democracy with their support.

They said that whether it was the question of holding negotiations or launching a mass struggle, the PPP would always take the people along.

Earlier addressing a May Day rally at Bilal Chowrangi in Landhi industrial area, PPP provincial chief Syed Qaim Ali Shah accused the government of following anti-people and anti-worker policies and compelling many of them to commit suicide.

Mr Shah lashed out at the government for making anti-labour laws; banning trade unions; and increasing the gap between rich and the poor through “wrong” economic policies.

PPP deputy secretary-general Raza Rabbani demanded free, fair and transparent elections under an independent election commission.