September 12, 2007	Wednesday	Sha'aban 29, 1428

DERA GHAZI KHAN, Sept 11: The fresh wave of protests took the tide in most parts of Punjab on Tuesday as the opposition parties, particularly the PML-N, took to the street and lawyers boycotted courts against various issues.

Aggressive and more spiteful than in the previous demonstrations, the opposition parties united under the banner of the All Parties Democratic Movement to condemn the deportation of PML-N leader Mian Nawaz Sharif. While the lawyers took exception to the killing of senior lawyer Raja Riaz in Karachi, MQM men’s storming the Sindh High Court and violation of the apex court’s verdict in favour of the Sharif brothers.

Dera Ghazi Khan saw an outburst of anger in front of the press club against banishment of the PML-N leader. There was, however, lukewarm response from the traders and even the PML-N district officials failed to muster support in the district considered to be a stronghold of party provincial head Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa.

FAISALABAD: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal’s local activists protested against the government’s disregard for the decision of the Supreme Court.

Banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of the detained activists and workers of political parties and slogans showed the degree of their resentment.

At least 27 activists of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were released from District Jail on Tuesday after a judicial magistrate granted them bail.

Judicial Magistrate Kazim Awan granted bail to PML-N leaders Javeed Niaz, Zulfiqar Anyat, Rana Afazal, Mian Irfan Ahmad, Imran Sher, Haider Salahudin, Abdul Shakoor, Khalil Kamoka, Mohammad Khalid, Shakoor Ahmed, Khushi Mohammad, Mohammad Iqbal, Shafiq, Khadim Dildar and others.

The police had arrested them from various city areas under Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order ahead of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif’s arrival in Islamabad on Sept 10.

The district bar association also protested by boycotting courts. Markets remained open and there was heightened security at many places.

SARGODHA: Lawyers all over the district observed complete strike whereas the APDM and the PML-N failed to seek support of the people to join demonstration.

The PML-N leadership had earlier announced that it would demonstrate in front of the press club, but changed the venue to Trust Plaza for apprehensions of arrests.

The police took into custody a PML-N labour wing leader. Most of the 22 PML-N leaders, who were released late Monday night, avoided showing up at protest rally.

KHANEWAL: On the appeal of the Pakistan Bar Council, the DBA observed strike by staying away from courts.

The lawyers lashed out at Advocate Raja Riaz’s killing and life attempt on a Rawalpindi lawyer.

“We boycotted courts to protest the killing of Raja Riaz and life attempt on another lawyer”, informed DBA President Chaudhry Ghulam Husain.

SHEIKHUPURA: Lawyers also protested in Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Ferozewala and Sangla Hill.

Besides the killing of the lawyer, they joined the voice of the APDM in condemnation of Nawaz Sharif’s deportation. During march, the political activists raised anti-government slogans.

MULTAN: On the protest call by the APDM leadership in the wake of Nawaz Sharif’s deportation and arrest of the PML-N leaders and workers, three demonstrations were held in the city.

The legal fraternity observed strike on the call of the Pakistan Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association against the killing of the lawyer.

The lawyers boycotted court proceedings and attended a protest meeting organised by the district bar association.

Among other cities and districts echoing with protests were Layyah, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Okara, Sahiwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Toba Tek Singh and Vehari.