KASUR, Aug 19: Hundreds of MMA, JI and JUP workers led by MNA Liaquat Baloch and other local leaders commenced their road caravan from Mustafabad (Lahore) on Sunday and later reached here in the evening. This is the third phase of MMA’s ‘Caravan-i-Tahafuz-i-Pakistan’.

Addressing the participants at Musatafabad and later at National Bank Chowk here, Baloch said since the judiciary was independent, General Pervez Musharraf’s re-election from the sitting assemblies for the second term was out of question as it was unconstitutional.

He said that the days of the Musharraf’s government had been numbered and the people would leave no stone unturned for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

He said workers of the MMA and other religious parties and the masses would eradicate evils such as dictatorship, dearness and vulgarity from the country. He said such efforts would pave the way for peace and justice in society.

Local leaders including Sahibzada Abul Khair Zubair Alwari of the JUP, Ch Abdul Ghani of the MMA, Ch Abdul Wahid of the JI and Dr Javid Awan and Abdul Karim of the JUI also attended the road caravan, which was accorded warm welcome at various spots from Mustafabad to Kasur. Rose petals were showered upon the participants amid loud anti-government slogans when the caravan entered Kasur.

While passing through Allahabad, Khudian, and Deepalpur in Okara district, the MMA leaders addressed the participants. The caravan is scheduled to reach Vehari Sunday night.

Later, addressing a press conference at Rajowal Town, Okara, Baloch said Benazir Bhatto was active to rescue uniformed Pervez Musharraf under the influence of United States.

Flanked by MMA district president Dr Liaqat Ali Kusar and JI district ameer Sheikh Azhar Mehmood, Baloch said the MMA would accept all the decisions made by APDM, including the one on tendering resignations, and the religious alliance had the capacity to disturb the electoral college for the election of the president.

He said the US wanted to support the general’s government to safeguard its own interests and General Musharraf was the best available choice to serve the purpose. Baloch said the time had gone now to think of capturing power with the help of establishment and other forces.