SAHIWAL, Aug 20: PML-N Acting President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi has said after the independence of the judiciary, the people of Pakistan will win their struggle against dictatorship.

Addressing a public meeting at Jogi Chowk here on Monday evening en route Multan, on his first visit to his hometown after his release from the Kot Lakhpat Jail earlier this month, Hashmi said the PML-N would eliminate turncoats and the army men’s rule from the country.

“General Pervez Musharraf and his associates have given nothing to the people of Pakistan except loadshedding, price-hike and deteriorating law and order situation.”

He praised the Sahiwal lawyers for their role in the struggle for the independence of the judiciary.

Hashmi’s procession consisting of several cars and motorcycles was accorded a warm welcome at Gamber (Oakara Cantt) before reaching here.

Earlier, addressing PML-N activists in Okara, Hashmi said the constitution was still in the clutches of the dictatorship and the opposition’s ongoing struggle was going to bear fruit in near future.

He urged Benazir Bhutto to join the opposition platform of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) instead of siding with General Musharraf. PML-N workers and local leaders had established several welcome camps on GT Road to welcome Hashmi.

Earlier, speaking at a press conference in Lahore before leaving for Multan, Hashmi urged politicians not to give impression of striking any deal with dictators as such an act would defame them.

While referring to reports that Benazir Bhutto’s and General Musharraf have reached some sort of power-sharing deal, he said such reports would make the masses lose their confidence in politicians.

He said that even Pakistan People’s Party workers would not accept their leadership’s bargain with the dictator.

Hashmi said he would feel hurt if the PPP did not stood by the opposition at the APDM platform at this critical juncture in the history of Pakistan.

He denied the reports that Nawaz Sharif had struck any deal before going abroad.

He said Sharif had just submitted an application before the then president (Rafiq Tarrar) seeking permission to go abroad for his treatment. “There was no mention of any apology or any sort of deal,” he added.