PML, PPP to observe Oct 12 as black day

PML, PPP to observe Oct 12 as black day
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 7: Two major political parties of Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim league (PML) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), will observe October 12, the day the army seized power in a bloodless coup last year, as a black day to protest the military takeover and failure of restoration of democracy in the country.

Announcing the PML decision at a press conference here today, party leader Zafarul Haq said the protest was being organised as the nation had been deprived of its basic rights by the overthrow of the elected government of its Chief Nawaz Sharif.

Haq, chairman of PML central coordination committee, said every possible way would be adopted to protest on October 12 as "today Pakistan stands on the brink of political and economic crisis and faces threats to federation and national integrity."

The PPP said it would observe October 12 as black day to protest against the military regime's failure to announce road-map for restoration of democracy.

A PPP spokesman, in a statement, said although the party welcomed the overthrow of the Nawaz Sharif government, its protest was against the failure of the present regime to install an interim government of national consensus for the holding of fair, free and impartial elections.