LAHORE, May 12: Tehrik-i-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan has said refusal to restore deposed judges has exposed the designs of Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari.

Addressing a protest rally organised by the All-Pakistan Democratic Movement outside the Lahore Press Club on Monday in connection with the ‘black day’ observed to mourn the killing of 48 people in Karachi on the eve of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s visit to the city on May 12 last year, he said an agreement had been signed for the restoration of judges within one month of formation of the government, but ‘excuses’ were being offered so that the CJP was not restored and Pervez Musharraf could stay in president’s office.

He said the people had come to know that Asif Zardari had formed a new troika with Musharraf and Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Altaf Husain.

Imran Khan alleged Asif Zardari on one hand was trying to protect billions of dollars he had ‘secured’ under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and on the other providing cover to President Musharraf, but he would not be able to save either. Mr Zardari should tell the people about the business which helped him earn two million dollars allegedly lying in his Swiss account, he added.

He said President Musharraf had himself stated that removal of judges was an extra-constitutional step, but the government was insisting on adopting ‘legal and constitutional’ means for their restoration.

He wondered corruption cases against Mr Zardari were disposed of within hours, but the restoration of judges was being obstructed. Mr Zardari was not only betraying the people killed in Karachi on May 12 last year, but was also trying to shield Musharraf whom the late Benazir Bhutto had accused of conspiring to murder her, he alleged.

He said the events taking place after the general elections had vindicated APDM’s poll boycott decision.

Khaksar Tehrik Chief Hameeduddin Al-Mashriqi said those responsible for the killing of Benazir Bhutto, Nawab Akbar Bugti and 48 people in Karachi on May 12 last year were still in Sindh government and President’s House.

Hundreds of workers of composite parties of APDM, including Tehrik-i-Insaaf, Jamaat-i-Islami and Khaksar Tehrik, participated in the meeting carrying banners and placards and raising slogans against the government.

APDM Lahore Convener Hafiz Salman Butt said the blood of those killed in Karachi on May 12 last would not go waste and judges would be restored. He said the restoration of judges without Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would not be acceptable.

JI Leader Amirul Azeem said the `election drama’ staged by President Musharraf had flopped and promises of restoration of judges had proved packs of lies. He said the judges would be restored through struggle of the people because the present parliament could not restore them.

Pakhtoon Khwah Milli Awami Party leader Ijaz Khan Hoti said the MQM was involved in killing of dozens of people in Karachi on May 12 last year at the behest of the dictator. He said Gen Musharraf (retired) would be punished for his wrongdoings.