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Hundreds Call for Pakistan President to Go

Hundreds of supporters of Pakistan's main opposition party started to gather for a protest rally on Friday, calling on President Asif Ali Zardari to step down.

The Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) is expected to draw large crowds at the rally in its political heartland, the city of Lahore where it controls the Punjab provincial government despite being in opposition at a national level.

Party faithful are due to denounce government corruption, widespread power cuts, rising inflation and the poor standing of living, calling for early elections before the elected government's five-year mandate expires in 2013.

More than 300 members of the PML-N youth wing were among the first to arrive, carrying placards, party flags and shouting "Go, Zardari, Go!" at an event held under strict security, an Agence France Presse reporter said.

Participants were being frisked while armed policemen guarded the venue, where a large stage had been set up with bullet-proof glass next to hoardings of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz, chief minister of Punjab.

Party leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz is not expected to address the rally, scheduled to return from a private visit to Turkey later Friday.

Police commandos were seen on the roof tops of buildings and Lahore police chief Malik Ahmed Raza Tahir told AFP that his officers were on high alert to prevent any possible attack by Islamist militants.

Members of Zardari's main ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) have lashed out at the Sharifs, accusing them of misappropriating Punjab resources.

"They are using government resources and functionaries for their political show," Raja Riaz, who served as senior minister under Sharif when the PPP was briefly in the provincial ruling coalition, told AFP.

Cricketer turned opposition politician Imran Khan has called a rival rally on Sunday, sparking debate about the extent to which he will deprive the Sharifs of support.

Source: Agence France Presse


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