Musharraf supporters march in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, Feb 11 (KUNA) — Hundreds of supporters of President Musharraf Monday held rally here to express support to the President amid his popularity graph has touched low ebb after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister.
More than 300 university students, political activists and several lawyers carrying banners inscribed with Long Live Musharraf and other slogans marched on Islamabad streets, a day after several lawyers and human rights activist were wounded and arrested in clashes with police while holding protest against President Musharraf. President Musharraf was re-elected in a presidential referendum by the previous assemblies. However, Supreme Court withheld his election till it disposed off all cases against him, filed by opposition parties challenging his candidacy.
The court move led to imposition of emergency rule in November and subsequent dismissal and arrests of defying lawyers and judges.
Though, the amended constitution has been restored but the country has plunged deeper into energy, political and security crisis with suicide bombs becoming a routine.
Elections will be held in Pakistan on February 18th. According to a recent opinion poll, conducted last month for the US-based Terror Free Tomorrow organisation, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of slain Benazir Bhutto is countrys most popular party and 70 per cent Pakistanis want President Pervez Musharraf to quit.