Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday observed black day to mark the 11th anniversary of toppling of Nawaz Sharif-led democratic government by former dictator Pervez Musharraf with a renewed pledge to continue efforts for strengthening democratic system in the country.
The PML-N marked the day as "Defence Day of Democracy" and held functions across the country in which speakers slammed Pervez Musharraf for causing an irreparable loss to the country by removing a democratic elected government. In Lahore, PML-N also organised a function at Aiwan-e-Iqbal. Sardar Zulifqar Ali Khosa chaired the function while among others, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique, Hamza Shahbaz, Zaeem Qadri, Pervaiz Malik and others spoke on the occasion.
A large number of PML-N activists who attended the function chanted slogans against Musharraf demanding his trial under Article 6 of the Constitution. On October 12, 1999 former President Pervez Musharraf overthrew the government of Nawaz Sharif in a military coup and imposed emergency in the country on the plea that Nawaz tried to kill him while onboard a plane. Earlier, Nawaz sacked Musharraf, while he was on a visit to Sri Lanka.
The speakers at the function said, "The entire Pakistani nation has been made to pay for the misdeed of a military general while his nine years at the helm of affairs have shattered the foundations of the country." If Nawaz led government was not removed through an unconstitutional act, Pakistan would have become a prosperous and developed country free from all problems like unemployment, loadshedding, lawlessness etc, they said, adding the day is not far when former dictator would be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution.
PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz said that democratic forces had rendered a lot of sacrifices for restoration of democracy. He said there were a lot of expectations for bringing in change as a result of February 2008 polls but all hopes of bringing change washed away due to wrong approach persuaded by those at the helm of affairs. "We want to strengthen democracy in the country but our patience is being lost due to wrong and undemocratic steps of the present government," he said.
Hamza said that President Zardari had promised with PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif to get consensus on candidate for the slot of president but he betrayed and become the president. He said the PML-N would save the country and would hold another long march in this regard.
"We had shown much patience but it was considered our weakness." He also highlighted sincere efforts being made by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the rehabilitation of flood affected people. PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said on the occasion that the PPP-led government was following the policy of loot and plunder while President Zardari was behaving like a "Don" instead of a politician.
He said the announcement of Punjab Chief Minister for holding a long march against wrong steps of the PPP-led government should be taken seriously. "We would stop the way of loot and plunder being followed by the PPP government," he said, adding: "Time is flying, PPP should respect the judiciary, ensure transparency and good governance, otherwise be ready to quit." He said the 2008 elections were not fair because these were aimed at paving the way of one political party and stopping the other.
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