PAKISTAN: Hundreds of activists protest in Pakistani cities against Musharraf's decision to be re-elected in uniform

Hundreds of opposition activists staged protest demonstrations in Pakistani cities on Friday (September 21) to denounce President Pervez Musharraf's bid to win another term in an Oct. 6 election. Army chief Musharraf will seek re-election despite legal challenges to his bid for power in the Supreme Court and slumping popularity. More than 500 activists from All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) marched through the streets of the eastern city of Lahore. The protesters burned the U.S flag while chanting anti-Musharraf slogans. About 500 activists, mostly from an alliance of religious parties, chanted outside the Supreme Court and carried a coffin symbolising what they hope will be the death of military rule. Around two hundred protesters staged demonstration in the southwestern city of Quetta. And in the the southern city of Karachi, about three hundred men and women staged a protest, holding banners and party flags. "Have Mercy on Pakistan, Go Back to Your Barracks," one banner read. "No to Musharraf With or Without Uniform," read another banner. The opposition has vowed to boycott Musharraf's election by an electoral college made up of members of the two houses of parliament and four provincial assemblies, just before they are to be dissolved for a general election due by mid-January. Dr. Meraj-ul-Huda Siddiqui, the Karachi chief of Jamat-e-Islami, told the crowd, "God willing, our struggle will move ahead. Victory will come to the slaves of prophet Mohammad, and defeat is the fate of America and its friends." The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging Musharraf's right to retain the posts of president and army chief, the legality of being elected in uniform, and whether he should be allowed to get a mandate from out-going assemblies. Opposition parties have vowed they would resign from the National Assembly and provincial assemblies if the Election Commissioner accepted Musharraf's nomination papers. A walk-out would not derail the vote but it would detract from its legitimacy. No other prominent politician has declared an intention to stand. Nominations must be filed on Sept. 27. Musharraf, whose main source of power is his military position, said he will retire from the army if elected. On Friday, he appointed a confidante to head the military's main intelligence agency in the first move of an expected reshuffle. Opposition parties have long been demanding that he give up command of the army and run for office as a civilian. The court is expected to issue a ruling next week. pak/jrc/

ITN Source | September 22, 2007

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