KARACHI, Nov 26: The PML, Sindh, has announced holding of a public meeting on December 5 at Nishtar Park, and said that leaders and supporters of coalition parties would also be attending it.

It would be a show of strength and street power, the provincial Secretary General of the party, Imtiaz Shaikh declared, adding that the massive show would prove that the people of fully supported President Musharraf's retaining of the post of army chief along with the office of the president.

Mr Shaikh was speaking at a press conference in his office here on Friday. On this occasion, Nazim of the UC-7 North Nazimabad Town Mr Owais Jamal, belonging to the Al-Khidmat Group, also announced his decision to join the PML. Mr Jamal said that President Musharraf was pursuing the policies that would bring economic and political stability to the country. He described the president as 'a towering personality' emerging on the political scene.

Imtiaz Shaikh, Minister for Revenue and Political Affairs, regretted that city nazim Niamatullah Khan had allowed the MMA to organize a public meeting on Nov 28 ignoring the PML request for a similar meeting made earlier.

He said that the PML did not make it an issue because it was a component party of the coalition and did not want to create a law and order problem. As such, he added, the party withdrew voluntarily.

The minister expressed astonishment over the MMA's selection of Karachi to launch its campaign against President Musharraf, pointing out that the law and order in this city had improved only a couple of months back and people had just started living in peace and tranquillity. He, however, pledged that the government would make every effort to see no disturbances in the city.

In reply to a question, the minister claimed that those who were opposing a president in uniform were the same people who had been supporting Gen Ziaul Haq during his 11 years of rule.

He told newsmen that the process of PML reorganization was in full swing. He claimed that the PML would emerge as the 'party of masses' having deep roots in public and the December 5 rally at Nishtar Park would be the first show of its strength.

Replying to a question, Mr Shaikh pointed out that Supreme Court had ordered release of Mr Asif Zardari which showed that courts were free in dispensing justice and there was no pressure from the Establishment. "We welcome his release and are ready to contest against him in the political field.''