GUJRANWALA, May 27: The “Tahaffuz-i-Pakistan Caravan” of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, which had started from Rawalpindi, was warmly welcomed by MNA Qazi Hameedullah, MMA’s district president Bilal Qudrat Butt and other leaders on reaching Gujranwala on Sunday night.

The caravan of about 2,000 people was led by MMA president Qazi Hussain Ahmad, secretary-general Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan chief Anas Noorani, Liaquat Baloch, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and other leaders.

After an overnight stay in Gujranwala, the caravan will leave for Faisalabad on Monday morning. On their way to Gujranwala, MMA leaders addressed alliance workers at different places.

Our correspondent adds from Gujar Khan: The MMA caravan stopped in Gujar Khan for some time.

Addressing people gathered there, MMA leaders Qazi Hussain, Maulana Fazl, Maulana Noorani, Liaquat Baloch, Chaudhry Abid Rehman and others said people were no more ready to accept the military rule and wanted restoration of a true democracy, rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution in the country.

They said the government had failed to resolve problems of people. They criticised the government for its failure in controlling prices and eliminating corruption.

The speakers expressed solidarity with the Chief Justice of Pakistan and said the MMA supported the struggle for freedom of the judiciary launched by lawyers.

PPI adds: The MMA vowed to continue its struggle till restoration of the 1973 constitution, formation of an impartial election commission and a caretaker government.

Speaking at the gathering in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Park before the start of the caravan, Qazi Hussain said the road march was aimed to “awaken the people of Punjab”.

He said the struggle for the supremacy of parliament and the judiciary would continue. He regretted that no inquiry had been ordered into the May 12 mayhem in Karachi.

Maulana Fazl accused the West of hatching a conspiracy to “spread its civilisation in Pakistan”, adding “we have to foil its all nefarious designs”.

He said that at the behest of the US, President Gen Musharraf was ruining peace in the country. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidery said the MMA would continue its efforts to abolish un-Islamic laws.

Liaquat Baloch termed the ban on Imran Khan’s entry in Sindh illegal and unconstitutional.