BB warns of ‘long march’
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—PPP-P chairperson Benazir Bhutto has warned a country wide long march will be launched from November, 13 if president general Pervez Musharraf does not announce to restore the constitution, relinquish the post of army chief and frame an independent and impartial election commission till November 9.
“We have held talks with general Musharraf for restoration of democratic process in the country. He should fulfill our demands as were agreed upon talks. He should doff uniform and relinquish the post of army chief. He should announce for formation of independent and impartial election commission and lift the bar on becoming prime minister for third term. These all measures should be taken ahead of November 9. If he fails to deliver the pledges made by him with PPP, Supreme Court and nation, sit in will be staged across the country. I will go to Lahore and kick off Long March from East Punjab” she said this while addressing a press conference here in PPP central secretariat Wednesday after ARD meeting.
PPP central secretary general Jahangir Badar, Raja Pervez Ashraf, PPP Punjab president Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Farhat Ullah Babar, spokesman of Benazir Bhutto, information secretary Sherry Rehman and others also attended the conference. “The long marches and sits in will come to end when constitution is revived, general Musharraf sheds uniform, formation of independent election commission and schedule for general election is announced “, she declared.
Benazir Bhutto said “ we demand from ARD platform that proclamation of emergency rule be withdrawn and the constitution be restored forthwith. The pledge made by general Musharraf with PPP, Supreme court and nation for taking off uniform be delivered. PPP lawyers and workers who have been arrested be immediately released”, she stressed. She pointed out PPP would hold historical public meeting in Liaqat Bagh on November, 9. “ I appeal to the people to participate in the meeting with courage and join the struggle to seek their rights”, she added.
All the detained judges will be released in the event of the restoration of the constitution, she said adding they will also stand reinstated as Supreme Court judges. “Some of the arrested judges have contacted me and told that the judges who had released the students of Lal Masjid and other persons and were cited in the charge sheet issued by general Musharraf had been reinstated as they had taken oath under Provisional Constitution Order (PCO)”,she underlined. PPP is looking at this matter with all seriousness and “ we have appealed to UN to look into this matter that newly installed Chief Justice of Pakistan under PCO had struck down the FIR lodged by PPP in connection with October, 18 Karachi carnage”, she maintained. Why it has happened so”, she added.
Benazir voiced apprehension that she and PPP leadership would be arrested. “ I want to make it clear upon the rulers that no power can prevent now the masses from coming out on roads. We will offer court arrests at such massive scale on November, 13 that no room will be left in jails to accommodate the detainees.