Shed military uniform by Nov 15: Bhutto

Islamabad, Nov 7: Taking an unambiguous stand, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto today asked President Pervez Musharraf to shed military uniform by November 15, adding she would organise a long march from Lahore to Islamabad on November 13 to demand the restoration of democarcy.

''We will organise a meeting of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on November 9 in Islamabad as scheduled. Therafter, I will go to Lahore to lead the Lahore-Islamabad march,'' she told reporters here.

Ms Bhutto stressed that President Musharraf must restore the constitution, shed military uniform by November 15 and call elections the same day for January 16 next year, as scheduled.

''We can't trust this government because it has imposed emergency in the country...our negotiations are deadlocked,'' she added.

Ms Bhutto said ''we can save the country by saving democarcy.

The dangers for Pakistan are serious.'' Ms Bhutto came to the press conference after attending a meeting of the 13-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), which also includes Pakistan Muslim League of another former Premier, Mr Nawaz Sharif. However, the PML(N) did not attend today's meeting.

PPP suporters also tried to take out a protest march to Parliament, which is located at the Constitution Avenue, that is out of bounds for the general public. Police prevented the protestors for indulging in any activity by bursting teargas shells.

UNI