LAHORE, Aug 15: Leaders of the joint opposition who gathered at Minar-i-Pakistan here on the Independence Day said that time had come for the people to get rid of dictators, plunderers and exploiters.

The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), the event’s main organiser, had termed the event ‘Youm-i-Nijaat’.

Almost all leaders of the combined opposition — MMA, ARD, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Pakistan People’s Party and Tehreek-i-Insaf — addressed the rally, including Qazi Hussain Ahmad, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Imran Khan.

The opposition leaders were unanimous in saying that the country was in the clutches of different mafias, adding that the public was being exploited by cartels controlling stock exchanges and supplies of cement and sugar. They warned that they would get rid of them and take them to courts if they came into power.

Qazi Hussain Ahmad said that the combined opposition would oppose Gen Pervez Musharraf’s re-election. “He amended the constitution under which he pledged not to take part in politics.

“The country is on the verge of disintegration because the army is busy killing its own people and secret agencies are busy raiding mosques and madressahs. The ruling clique is ignoring everything just because it wants to cling to power for a bit more.”

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the army had no role in the formation of Pakistan, which was created by sacrifices rendered by Muslims and ulema.

Maulana Fazl urged the people to take to streets if they wanted to free themselves from tyranny.

ARD Chairman Makhdoom Amin Faheem emphasised that the gap between the rich and the poor was widening.