Huge Lawyer Convoy across Pakistan

CHEN:
Security in the Pakistani capital has been beefed up today. A cross-country convoy of Pakistani lawyers and political activists drove slowly towards Islamabad for a protest outside the parliament building. They're demanding the reinstatement of judges fired by President Pervez Musharraf.

STORY:
The country's former Chief Justice and dozens of other judges were purged when former army chief Musharraf declared emergency rule in November last year. Supporters of Chaudhry see his restoration as the first step in setting Pakistan on a path to democracy and justice.

Lawyers have launched a protest called a "long march" even though the lawyers are traveling in cars. A fleet of about 200 vehicles, set off from the southeastern city of Multan on Wednesday. They are due to reach the capital later on today.

In the city of Lahore a group leader told a rally of several thousand lawyers and political activists "we will lay siege to parliament."

The protest is increasing pressure on Musharraf to step down. He has been isolated since his allies were beaten in a February election.

The coalition has been almost completely preoccupied with the question of the judges and the related issue of Musharraf's fate, despite a looming economic crisis and militant threat.

Category:

News & Politics

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• ntdtv
• news
• Pakistan
• Security
• political
• activists
• Islamabad
• protest
• Chaudhry
• Musharraf

[yahoovisitor]

Musharraf resigned to save himself from the coming impeachment & exile. But Zardari a representative of same Anti-Islamic alliance is there to replace him. PPP or PPPP got votes in majority just due to Benazir's death as a result of terrorism. Otherwise the political outlook & revenge of this party is totally destroying Pakistan as was visible by the Minister of Information giving a support to Dictatorship & illegal steps of 02 Nov. Dictator's policies continue & a visible reaction is there.