LAHORE, May 11: Spurred on by the presence of the prime minister’s convoy making its way down The Mall, citizens and activists staged a demonstration for the restoration of the deposed judges outside Governor’s House here on Sunday.

The 200 or so people, including members of the Concerned Citizens of Pakistan (CCP), Khaksar Tehrik and Student Action Committee (SAC), raised their customary slogans denouncing President Musharraf and chanted “PCO judges, na manzoor” as well as directing their ire at PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zaradri for his perceived role in stalling the judges’ restoration.

Talking to Dawn Khaksar Tehrik president Hamid Mashriqi angrily said: “The coalition has delayed and held meetings in Dubai and London and they have still failed to agree on any resolution. They have failed to uphold the mandate the people of Pakistan bestowed upon them.”

Dozens of lathi-wielding male and female police officials struggled to keep the activists in order while Prime Minister Gillani’s convoy passed on its way back from an appointment in the city’s centre. Emotions ran high as the police formed a lathi-chain to prevent the activists from crossing into the road and expressing their displeasure directly in front of the prime minister. Instead, they were forced to make do with standing by the sidelines.

Justice Nasira Iqbal (retired) said: “Just 80 days after the elections, the nation is willing to stand and rise against the government. If the judges are not restored, it will precipitate rioting.”

Hamid Zaman of the CCP made a brief speech to the protesters and expressed the hope that the leaders of the two coalition parties would eventually come around, though he did not believe that the judges would be restored by the May 12 deadline (today). He said CCP members would be prepared to follow the lawyers and the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) in whatever path they chose at their next meeting on May 16.