Washington, Nov 19: Scores of Pakistani nationals staged a demonstration outside the White House, demanding restoration of a constitutional government in Pakistan, which is currently under an emergency rule.

The demonstrators, some of whom had travelled from New York, were carrying placards and chanting slogans denouncing the imposition of emergency, and demanded that all restrictions on the media should be immediately lifted in their country.

Shahbaz Sharif spoke to the demonstrators by phone from London on Saturday afternoon, since many of them belonged to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the Daily Times reported.

Dr Ghazala Qazi from Maryland, who had no political affiliation, said that President General Pervez Musharraf claims to have suspended the Constitution to save the country from anarchy, while forgetting that it is he himself who has ruled Pakistan for the last eight years.

She further said the unrest and upheaval in Pakistan was because of Musharraf’s actions. She was convinced that as long as Musharraf remains at the helm of affairs, there could be no peace or political tranquility or even elections in Pakistan.

Another non-partisan protester, Mukhtar Ahmed, who described himself as an ordinary Pakistani who works at a pizza parlour, said he had taken the afternoon off from work to join the protest, although Saturday was the day when he earned more than he did on weekdays.

“My country is more important to me than a day’s earnings and I am here to join my voice with the voice of the people of my land,” he was quoted, as saying.
 
Among others was taxicab driver Khalid Sahi from the District of Columbia. He had also taken the day off from work to stand in front of the White House to protest the state of emergency in Pakistan. Pointing to the White House across the street, he said, “In this country, the law is supreme.” (ANI)