KARACHI, July 18: The Labour Party Pakistan on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration in front of Karachi Press Club against the bomb blast in Islamabad. Holding placards and banners inscribed with anti-government and pro-judiciary slogans, the protesters demanded high-level judicial probe into the blast and asked the rulers to tender resignation.

The general-secretary of LPP Karachi division, Abdul Salam, claimed that the government wished to impose emergency in the country and the blast was part of the same conspiracy. He said President Musharraf instead of prolonging his unconstitutional tenure should fulfil his commitments by holding fair, free and impartial elections.

Mr Salam said conspiracies were being hatched to weaken the lawyers’ movement for the independence of the judiciary as workers of political parties, who were supporting the movement, were targeted in the blast.

Expressing sympathies with the bereaved families of the Pakistan People’s Party, he said their sacrifices would not go futile.

The protestors demanded high-level judicial probe into the blast, resignation of rulers and setting up of an interim government for holding free and fair elections.