THATTA, March 18: Activists of People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP), lawyers and journalists observed a three-hour token hunger strike outside the press club on Sunday in protest against rendering the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) "non-functional", police attack on the offices of a private TV channel in Islamabad and action against lawyers in Lahore.

MPA Sassui Palijo who led the hunger strike expressed surprise at the confession by President Musharraf that he had been used by the cabinet that prompted him to file reference against the CJP and that conspiracies were being hatched against him.

She said that the unfolding events had proved that the president had lost control over state affairs and the days of the present government were numbered.

Lakhano Behrani, senior member of District Bar Association, criticised PPP for its overcautious policy and said that the party’s policy on the CJP’s issue would extend a lease of life to the dictatorial rule.

Yar Mohammad Jalalani, president Thatta of press club, condemned attack on a TV channel and said that the rulers were committing political suicide and creating circumstances, which would force the self-imposed president of Pakistan to be booted out of power.

Our Hyderabad bureau adds: Activists of different political parties continued their protest outside the press club on Sunday against the president’s decision to make CJP “non-functional” and attack on lawyers in Lahore and a private TV channel in Islamabad.

PPP cultural wing staged a rally, which started from Sindh University old campus and reached the press club.

The Muslim Students Federation (N) staged a demonstration against the president’s action. Activists of Sindh Hari Committee staged a demonstration and hunger strike outside the press club.