More than 10,000 rally against Musharraf
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-03-26 09:49

More than 10,000 protesters rallied in the southwestern city of Quetta in Pakistan on Friday, demanding President Gen. Pervez Musharraf step down.

The supporters of a coalition of radical Islamic groups chanted "God is great" and "Pakistan will not be allowed to become a U.S. colony."

The six-party United Action Forum has accused Musharraf of reneging on a promise to become a civilian head of state and leave his army job by the end of 2004.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed, leader of the opposition parties alliance addresses an anti-government rally, Friday, March 25, 2005, in Quetta, Pakistan. More than 10,000 opposition activists rallied along a downtown street in this southwestern city in Pakistan, demanding military President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to step down. [AP]

"No to Musharraf's uniform" and "Musharraf has to step down," two protester signs said. Police put the crowd at more than 10,000.

Musharraf has become a key ally of the United States in the war against terrorism since he seized power in a bloodless coup in October 1999.

While Musharraf held general elections in 2002 that elected a Parliament and a prime minister, he keeps a firm grip on power.

The alliance made unexpected gains in the parliamentary vote mainly on a platform of opposition to Musharraf's support for the United States. It accuses Musharraf of working for American interests and imposing dictatorship on Pakistan.

At the rally Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the alliance's chief, demanded Musharraf should step down.

"Gen. Musharraf is not accepted to us neither as a president nor as a the army chief," Ahmed said.

Musharraf has so far spurned the opposition demands, saying his staying in power will ensure stability in the country's policies, including the fight against terrorism.

Hundreds of police were deployed to provide security for the rally in Quetta but there was no violence, said Qazi Abdul Waheed, a police superintendent.

He said more than 10,000 attended the opposition protest.

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