VEHARI, Dec 17: Government employees who were bound to attend President Musharraf’s public meeting here at the Government College ground on Monday were made to sit there for six hours and were not allowed even to answer the call of nature.

The president reached here at about 2:00pm while his audience comprising PML-Q candidates, their supporters and a large number of government employees were seated there at 9am.

All government schools in Vehari tehsil were closed as their staff like that of other departments were told to reach the Government College ground. Before entering the venue, they marked their attendance under the watchful eyes of their seniors.

Once seated, they were not allowed to move. A senior health department employee who was unwell and wanted to answer call of nature was not allowed to leave the venue.

Before his arrival, Governor Khalid Maqbool reportedly held meetings with PML-Q candidates from the district.

Members of the District Bar Association observed `black day’ on the occasion of Musharraf’s visit. They boycotted the courts for the entire day but could not take out a rally due to heavy police presence outside.

In their bar room meeting, they pledged to continue their struggle till the restoration of judiciary and democracy in the country.