Benazir Bhutto addresses journalists who were protesting against the media crackdown in the country in Islamabad on Saturday. — Reuters

PPP chairperson and former premier Benazir Bhutto spent a hectic Saturday after the government ended her detention and vowed to proceed with plans to launch a pro-democracy “long march” from Lahore on November 13.

Bhutto went to meet deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, visited a protest camp set up by journalists to express solidarity with their struggle against draconian curbs and met representatives of the civil society organisations. In brief speeches at these meeting Bhutto called for an end to emergency, restoration of the Constitution, reinstatement of the sacked judges and announcement of specific dates for elections.

The police stopped her at the barrier erected outside the Judicial Colony from entering Justice Chaudhry’s residence but she addressed the police and a large crowd that accompanied her on megaphone pledging full support to lawyers’ struggle for restoration of the Supreme Court as it existed on November 3 before promulgation of emergency.

She said Justice Iftikhar was still the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and denounced the government for keeping him and other deposed judges under detention. She demanded immediate release of all lawyers and political activists arrested during current countrywide protests.

Bhutto called upon the people of Pakistan to rise and join the struggle for democracy expressing confidence that the movement would triumph. She said the government used brutal force to stop the PPP from holding a public rally in Rawalpindi on Friday and she was not allowed to come out of her residence.

“Such tactics will not work and the caravan of democracy would roll on till it reaches its goal,” Bhutto said adding that she would go to Lahore on November 13 to lead a march to Islamabad.

She rejected Musharraf’s announcement to hold elections by February 15 and described it as an attempt to deflect world pressure. She said the elections must be held by January 15 as provided in the Constitution adding that Musharraf had no authority to amend and bypass the Constitution. The emergency and the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) he has promulgated as Army Chief have no legal value, she added.

“The Army Chief cannot impose martial law and suspend the Constitution or purge the judiciary,” she said.

Earlier Bhutto assured protesting journalists outside Aaj TV that people would not accept the draconian curbs imposed by the government on the freedom of the pres.

She demanded immediate withdrawal of new media laws and reopening private news channels which have remained off-air for the eighth day on Saturday.

The government has continued pressure on the owners of private channels to accept a stringent press code that severely impinges on their freedom to broadcast news, talk shows and criticism of the President and other institutions.

Meanwhile, attorney-general Qayyum Malik told a TV channel that the emergency is likely to be lifted within a month.

“It is mainly because of the law and order situation in some parts of the country. We hope it will continue to improve as it is improving now,” Qayyum added.

Replying to a question about petitions against Musharraf’s presidential candidacy, Qayyum said he was trying that the Supreme Court would resume the hearing as soon as possible. The hearing would be resumed soon after formation of 11-memebr Bench. So far, there are nine judges. He expressed hope that the two judges would be appointed within a day or two.