HYDERABAD, Oct 12: The Pakistan Muslim League (N) on Thursday observed black day across Sindh to condemn the overthrow of prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s government by the army seven years ago.
Rallies and protest demonstrations were held. Speakers criticised the military rulers for their undemocratic action.
In Hyderabad, a protest meeting was held at the residence of former MNA Sahibzada Shabbir Hassan Ansari.
Mr Ansari said that October 12, 1999, was the blackest day in the history of Pakistan when an elected government was toppled under a planned conspiracy and military dictatorship was thrust on the people.
He said that the country had suffered irreparable losses at the hands of military rulers and foreign and defence policies were being dictated by outsiders.
He said the Kashmir issue had been put on the back burner and the army was killing its own people in North Waziristan and Balochistan.
He said that elections would be meaningless due to General Pervez Musharraf’s advocacy of his own party men.
He was confident that Nawaz Sharif will return to the country before the next general elections.
He called for immediate release of Makhdoom Javed Hashmi and other political leaders.
Rafique Lodhi, Asif Mirza and Raeesa Rehman also spoke on the occasion.
Protest demonstrations were also held by PML-N, Muslim Students Federation-N and labour wing of the party outside the press club.
The demonstrations were addressed by PML-N leaders Mohammad Hanif Siddiqui, Haji Liaquat Naqshbandi, Mohammad Shahid Malik, labour wing leader Siddique Nawaz Masih, youth wing leader Roshan Ali Baloch, Rafique Bhatti and others.
They paid tribute to Mian Nawaz Sharif for his services for Pakistan and the downtrodden.
They said that Nawaz Sharif had made Pakistan an atomic power and demanded that Mian Saheb and Benazir Bhutto should be allowed to return to Pakistan.
They slammed army generals for overthrowing the popularly elected government of Nawaz Sharif.
NAWABSHAH: Activists of PML-N and its youth wing observed a black day and took out a procession.
They hoisted black flags at the party office, wore black arm bands and held a rally which culminated outside the press club.
Speaking on the occasion, district president of the PML-N, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, said that the democratic government of Nawaz Sharif was removed by the army general which was unconstitutional, undemocratic and unlawful act.
He said that rights of the people were being snatched from the very first day and people were committing suicide due to unemployment and price hike.
He demanded that free, fair and transparent elections should be held and Nawaz Sharif, who was a leader of masses, should be allowed to return to the country.
The PML-N youth wing took out a procession from Masjid Road which ended at the press club.
The protesters blocked the road and burnt tyres. President of youth wing Sindh, Sardar Abdul Hameed Khoso, addressed the protesters.
He said the party would continue its struggle till the restoration of democracy in the country.
He said that Nawaz Sharif would get rid of dictatorship and democratic rule would again flourish under his dynamic leadership.
SHIKARPUR: Black day was observed by PML-N against General Pervez Musharraf’s rule. A procession was taken out by PML-N activists, which after marching on main roads, terminated at the press club.
The rally was led by PML-N district president, Malik Hadi Bux.
The leaders demanded early general elections and resignation of the rulers before general elections.
DADU: PML-N district Dadu observed a black day in Dadu town.
They also held a demonstration outside the district party office.