Former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said President Pervez Musharraf must be held accountable for all his actions as thousands of protestors gathered near Parliament in Islamabad to demand the restoration of judges sacked by the embattled ex-military ruler.
In a show of strength, about 20,000 protestors assembled on Friday night at a ground located a stone's throw from Parliament and the presidency to demand the reinstatement of the judges deposed during last year's emergency.
Amidst the chanting of slogans like "Go Musharraf go" and "Hang Musharraf", the crowd was addressed by top leaders like Sharif, Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan and Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan.
"Listen Pervez Musharraf," Sharif said in his emotional speech. "We had said that you should accept the people's verdict (in the February 18 general election) and give up your post and go home with dignity. You did not accept the people's decision.
Now the people have given a new judgment for you -- they want you to be held accountable," he said as the crowd chanted "Hang Musharraf."
Sharif added: "Mr Musharraf, the people's jirga does not want just your removal. You must account for all your actions over the past eight and half years. You cannot be given a safe exit."
Though lawyers, students, workers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamaat-e-Islami and Tehrik-e-Insaf and civil society activists began gathering on Friday evening, Sharif and the other leaders addressed the protestors early on Saturday morning, after which they dispersed.
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