Dozens of female students of Jamia Hafsa protested outside Zardari House here on Monday, and demanded the release of Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz.Led by human rights activist Khalid Khawaja, the students carried placards and banners inscribed with slogans against President Pervez Musharraf, and called for the immediate release of Maulana Aziz. The security around Zardari House was tightened ahead of the protest, as a heavy contingent of police was deployed there.
Khawaja went to Zardari House but failed to meet Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP), and handed over the demands of the protesters to party officials. The students demanded the reconstruction of Jamia Hafsa in accordance with a judgment given by the Supreme Court. The students refused to end their protest unless Zardari met them. However, they ended the protest after PPP leaders Fauzia Wahab and Zamurd Khan assured them that their demands would be conveyed to the co-chairman.