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GUJRANWALA, Feb 20: The week-long anti-government protest launched by the PPP and the PML-N on the call given by the ARD ended on Friday. MPA Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmad Saman was the chief guest on the final day of the camp set up outside the district courts here.
Various leaders said on the occasion that dictatorship would never be accepted. They pledged to continue struggle for the restoration of democracy in the country. They demanded that former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif should be allowed to come back while Asif Zardari and other political leaders be released.
OKARA: The Okara city PML-N organization staged a protest camp at Gale Chowk which was largely attended. Workers raised slogans against the government and in favour of Dr Qadeer Khan. The speakers said on the occasion that Gen Pervez Musharraf should be removed.
SHEIKHUPURA: Punjab PPP information secretary Naveed Chaudhry claimed at the ARD strike camp on the last day on Friday that masses had expressed their non-confidence in the Musharraf government.
He said the success of ARD protest drive was a proof that the people were not satisfied with the government. He warned the rulers to refrain from defaming scientists otherwise the ARD would launch a countrywide protest.
Former MPA Mian Javed Latif of the PML-N and other activists also attended the camp. Mian Javed said Gen Musharraf was the security risk. Therefore, removal of the government was necessary. He claimed that the fate of the government would be sealed on March 7 when a protest meeting would be held in Sahiwal.
He said an interim government should be formed to hold free and fair election as early as possible. City PPP president Asif Khan demanded that April 4 should be declared as a holiday in recognition of the service of the late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for the country.
SIALKOT: The PML-N and PPP leaders and activists observed two-hour hunger strike on the last day of the anti-government protest on Friday.
Speakers vowed to continue their struggle till the restoration of democracy in the country. They demanded release of Asif Ali Zardari and permission to both Mian Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto to come back. They held the government responsible for price hike, growing unemployment and worsening law and order.
TOBA TEK SINGH: On the last day of ARD protest campaign against President Gen Musharraf on his policies on Kashmir and nuclear issues, PPP activists held a meeting outside the district party office on Friday.
Former federal interior secretary and PPP leader Hafeezullah said on the occasion that nuclear programme was being rolled back on the directions of the US. He demanded permission for Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan. Khalid Kharal's son Haider Kharal and party office bearers Rana Khalid Mahmood, Saeed Akhtar and Zulfiqar Ali also spoke on the occasion.
