Protests continue in Pakistan over Sharif's disqualification

by Sanjay Jha | February 27, 2009 at 12:55 am

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Protests by supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif continued for third consecutive day in the wake of a Supreme Court verdict declaring their leaders ineligible to contest elections.

There are reports coming that Vehicles were torched, property damaged and many injured in clashes

Agitated protesters burnt vehicles and tyres as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) observed countrywide protests on Thursday by holding demonstrations and staging rallies against the disqualification of the Sharif brothers and the imposition of governor’s rule in Punjab.

Nawaz Sharif had given a call for nationwide protests. Most shopping centres in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and other parts of the province remained closed. Lawyers and traders also joined the demonstrations.

Lawyers boycotted courts and held protest demonstrations by burning tyres and chanting slogans against President Asif Ali Zardari, accusing him of ‘planning’ the disqualification of the Sharif brothers.

The cases have been registered against 300 leaders and activists of PML-N on charges of rampage.

In Karachi, lawyers have abandoned the court proceedings in City Court to express solidarity with Sharif brothers.

PML-N lawyers former Law Minister Salim Zia, PML-N lawyers’ forum’s Arshad Jadoon and others observed hunger strike within the premises of City Court.

Meanwhile, Lahore lawyers boycotted the proceedings of the courts in protest. PML-N announced protest rallies today against Sharifs disqualification after jumma prayers.

The lawyers in Shaikupura and other parts of Punjab and Azad Kashmir are also protesting against Sharifs disqualification.

Muslim Conference (Atiq) organized protest demonstration in Kotli and Bhambir whereas Opposition leader in Azad Kashmir Assembly Sardar Atiq Ahmad and other members of assembly stage sit-in in Rawlakot.

PML-N and other political parties hold protest demonstration in Battgram.

Police on Friday registered cases against two MNAs and 300 local leaders and activists of PML-N on charges of rampage.

According to reports, the cases against MNA Hanif Abbasi, Pervaiz Khan, PML-N leader Sardar Nasim and other 300 local leaders have been registered in city, Gunj Mandi and Waris Khan police stations.