LAHORE, Feb 17: The PPP and the PML-N on Friday condemned in strongest terms what they called unjustifiable arrests of a number of their leaders and workers as a part of the government’s policy to victimize its political opponents.

At separate news conferences here, they called for the release of all the arrested or detained leaders, warning that the government would be held responsible for all consequences in case it did not take back its orders.

Punjab PPP information secretary Naveed Chaudhry claimed that 650 leaders and workers of the party had been arrested from Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sialkot, Jhelum and Gujrat. He said cases had been registered against them under anti-terrorism laws.

The PPP leaders and workers, he said, had been quite peaceful, and they had not participated in any procession. In his opinion, the government was responsible for whatever had taken place on Tuesday in Lahore.

He alleged an atmosphere was being created to enable Gen Musharraf to prolong his dictatorial rule.

Naveed said efforts to worsen the situation had been started after the Commonwealth secretary-general had told Gen Musharraf to quit one of his two offices in 2007.

The PPP leader said instead of arresting the opposition leaders and workers, the chief minister should take action against the administration which had failed to discharge its duties on Tuesday.

He said the Punjab PPP executive committee was meeting on Feb 21, and it might decide to defy the ban on processions.

Asked whether the PPP might join hands with the MMA in rallies planned by the latter, Naveed said his party would not like to align itself with anyone else. Raja Zulqernain, Zakariya Butt, Dr Fakhruddin and Sajida Mir were also present at the news conference.