RAWALPINDI, Oct 5: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has express concern over the prevailing political and leadership crises in the country saying the country could be steered out of these problems only when popular leaders are brought back and detained political leaders released.

The party set up a protest camp here on Tuesday to convey its indignation to the government for its political victimisation of popular leaders. Local PPP leaders including MNA Zamarud Khan, district president Ch Ayub, Sultan Mehmood Qazi, Haji Saleem Mughal, Raja Ayaz, Malik Najib and others visited the protest camp.

They spoke to party supporters asking them to show perseverance in their efforts for the return of Benazir Bhutto and release of other party leaders. They were of the view that the prevailing crises would remain as long as the continuing harassment of political leaders was not stopped and democracy not restored.

They demanded free and fair election under the supervision of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and transfer of power to the real representatives of the people.

Criticizing Gen Musharraf, they said despite all his irregularities, he won't be able to escape the inevitable repercussion. The fortress that he has erected around himself would crumble like the walls of sand when the time comes, they said.

They said it was in the interest of the country that the army went back to the barracks. The PPP, they said, had been struggling for the rule of law, freedom of judiciary, supremacy of parliament, restoration of a genuine democracy, release of prisoners, controlling the continuing price-hike and growing unemployment in the country.

They showed grave concern over the Sialkot incident calling it a great tragedy. They termed it an act of terrorism and demanded compensation for the relatives of the deceased and proper treatment arrangements for the wounded.