MQM set to stage pro-Zardari rally

KARACHI: After the PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif came down hard on President Zardari at a rally in Lahore on Friday, the ruling PPP was expected to hit hack with full force. But it was the MQM that leapt to Zardari's defence, while the PPP ended up trailing round its coalition partner.

On Saturday, the Sindh government lifted a ban on public rallies and processions in the metropolis for two days in order to pave the way for the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to hold a "pro-democracy rally" today to voice its support for Zardari and criticise the PML-N for "using foul language and derogatory remarks against the office of the president".

According to a Home Department notification, the ban will become effective again from October 31. The ban had been imposed on September 28.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the office of the DIG, Traffic Police, said that owing to the MQM rally, MA Jinnah Road would be closed to all kinds of traffic from Numaish to the Tibet Centre from 12:30pm till the end of the event.

The statement advised motorists coming from Gurumandir to Tower to proceed via New Preedy Street. Those going from Tower to Gurumandir were advised to take the route from Eidgah Chowk and Jubilee to Bahadur Yar Jang Road.

The MQM set up a camp near the Tibet Centre and security was beefed up ahead of the rally on Saturday night.

APP adds: The MQM consulted legal and constitutional experts on Saturday to ascertain if the "derogatory remarks" used by PML-N leaders against the president were in violation of the Constitution, said Raza Haroon, a member of the MQM's Rabita Committee.

Accompanied by Nasreen Jalil and Wasay Jalil, he told journalists that the MQM would resist all attempts against the Constitution of the country. "We would not allow any one to derail democracy."

Haroon, who is also a provincial minister, told the journalists during his visit to the designated route for Sunday's "pro-president rally" that all pro-democratic elements would participate in the event organised by MQM.

"[The] MQM's democracy and stability of Pakistan rally would be a befitting reply to the proponents of PML-N's Friday rally."

He said people claiming themselves to be leaders of the people must learn to respect other leaders too.

"Karachiites would participate in large number as they have always led pro-democratic campaigns," Haroon said in reply to a question.

He said the rally would begin from Numaish and culminate at the Tibet Centre, where the participants would be addressed by senior and pro-democracy politicians of the country.

The three members of the MQM Rabita Committee reviewed arrangements being made for the rally, particularly the huge stage erected at the Tibet Centre for the speakers.