PESHAWAR, June 6: Provincial chief of the Pakistan People’s Party Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti demanded of the government to table the Legal Framework Order for its passage in parliament, release Asif Ali Zardari and allow Benazir Bhutto to return to Pakistan.

Speaking to the party workers at a protest rally here at Qissa Khwani Bazaar on Friday, Mr Hoti flayed the police action against the lawmakers outside the Punjab assembly. He said that it was a clear indication as to who was running the government.

Earlier, the PPP workers started their march from Jinnah Park to the Chowk Shaheedan in Qissa Khwani Bazar, where their procession turned into a protest meeting against the continuing detention of Mr Zardari in “fake cases”, forcible exile of Ms Bhutto and unlawful implementation of the LFO in the country.

Criticising the Punjab government, Mr Hoti said it had denied entry to 27 MPAs in the house and got passed a resolution in favour of LFO, which was a “shameful act”. The arrest of anti-LFO MPAs and their detention at police stations had exposed the real face of the “King’s party”, he added.

Mr Hoti said if the government wanted to implement the LFO in the country it should get it passed with a two-thirds majority of parliament, otherwise the PPP would continue protest against it. “The Supreme Court cannot amend the Constitution, it is a prerogative of parliament to do so,” he added.

He announced that PPP’s district-wise protest would continue till the “honourable return of Ms Bhutto, unconditional release of Mr Zardari in all cases and the annulment of the LFO as part of the Constitution.”

Mr Hoti criticized what he called the “interference” by the federal government in the affairs of the NWFP government and termed it contrary to the provincial autonomy.

He said the MMA should be given an opportunity to complete their tenure. The MMA had hoodwinked the people in the name of Shariat Act, which was a part of the 1973 Constitution.

He said: “The restoration of the Constitution is the only solution to the present crisis. The original Constitution opposes any legislation against the Quran and Sunnah.”

He said smashing signboards on roads and cinemas was not a solution to the problems faced by the common man, who wanted economic relief. The MMA was engrossed in handling non-issues, instead.