abhishek behl , http://merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=126324
EVEN AS THE Pakistan president tried to defuse the explosive situation by deporting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharif to Jeddah, the mood in the country is volatile.
The former Premier had reached Jeddah on Monday evening. He was taken to an undisclosed location in Saudi Arabia under heavy security.
In Pakistan, a virtual martial law was imposed in Punjab, considered to be the bastion of the Sharief clan.
Thousands of PML-N activists were put behind bars by the Army regime including central as well as provincial leadership across the country.
Eyewitnesses said that all roads leading to Islamabad were closed and heavy containers were stationed at bridges to stop the movement of vehicles in the city.
Despite the precautions, hundreds of PML-N activists reached Islamabad airport, at 9am, to receive Sharif, who arrived on a Pakistan International Airways flight. The former Premier was detained at Islamabad airport, before being deported.
PML-N supporters were arrested in Rawalpindi, where a curfew like situation prevailed. Pakistan Army, Islamabad Police and Rangers, who were present in full force on the streets, had tough time restraining angry Nawaz supporters.
A pro-Sharif rally, which was on the way to Islamabad, was stopped midway by the troops, who used heavy force to disperse the supporters. Few shots were also exchanged between the two sides in which two policemen were seriously injured, according to sources.
Talking to Merinews over the telephone, senior PML-N leader Syed Sarfaraz Hyder criticized President Musharraf, alleging that he had committed a Contempt of Court.
“How can Musharraf stop the entry of Nawaz Sharif Saheb, when the Supreme Court has permitted the same” said an angry Hyder, asserting that Musharraf was scared of PML-N supremo.
He further said that people in Pakistan are worried and confused about the political future of the country as Musharraf is not amenable to reason. “President Musharraf ke din thode hi hain aur jaldi hi Sharif sahib wapis ayenge, Inshallah” (President Musharaff’s days are numbered and soon Sharief will return, God willing), he quipped despite knowing that tough road lies ahead for ‘Mian Sahib’, as Nawaz Sharif is addressed endearingly.
Tension prevailed across cities, as people discussed and debated the future of PML-N leader. Most people were praising his brave stand on returning to troubled Pakistan and exposing the evil designs of Musharraf regime.
Amjad Tayal, a PML-M activist, who was present in the party office in Punjab, opined, “Democracy had been killed on the streets, today.”