LAHORE, Nov 9: FAST National University students and faculty members on Friday staged a protest demonstration against the imposition of emergency in the country. At a protest meeting inside the campus, students and faculty members wearing black head and armbands raised slogans against President Musharraf for imposing emergency and promulgating the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO).

The protesters were carrying placards with inscriptions “Go Musharraf Go”, “Musharraf Gardi Nahin Chaley Gi”, “Lathi Goli Ki Sarkar Nahin Chaley Gi” and “Restore the Constitution”.

Speaking to the protesters, faculty members and students condemned Gen Musharraf’s unconstitutional actions. They also signed a petition, which said, “We condemn the imposition of emergency and the promulgation of PCO”. They said they would post this petition on the internet.

It has also been learnt that students are scheduled to hold a protest demonstration against the imposition of emergency in front of the Lahore Press Club at 1pm on Saturday (today).

IJT: The Islami Jamiat-i-Tulaba (IJT) staged a protest demonstration and a walk at the Punjab University’s New Campus on Friday against the proclamation of emergency.

A large number of university students, teachers and employees participated in the protest and the walk held after Friday prayers.

They were carrying banners and placards and raising slogans against the emergency and ‘state terrorism’ against lawyers, politicians, political workers, civil society members and the journalists.

Speaking to protesters, IJT’s Punjab University Nazim Muhammad Ayub said Pakistan had come into being in the name of Islam, but the rulers were acting against religious teachings and bombarding their own people. He said students would continue their struggle against the extra-constitutional steps taken by Gen Pervez Musharraf to perpetuate his rule, and offer all sacrifices for the restoration of democracy and the constitution. —Staff Reporter