LAHORE: Various civil society organizations demonstrated here on Monday against the ongoing political crisis, pledging to protect the democratic setup at all costs.

Led by senior journalist Imtiaz Alam, labour leader Farooq Tariq, Azma Bukhari, Amna Malik, Abdullah Malik and representatives of various civil society organizations, the participants rallied at Charing Cross on The Mall and chanted slogans against undemocratic forces.

They urged the opposition parties to do positive politics and not to take any step that could endanger the already fragile democracy.

Carrying placards in their hands inscribed with pro-democracy slogans, they also chided the government for showing slackness in resolving the crisis.

They said the government should take some practical steps for ensuring supremacy of the constitution and safeguarding democracy.

Pledging not to allow any-one to derail the democratic system, they warned the antidemocratic forces that the whole nation would stand for the survival and protection of democracy.

They said the democracy had been restored in the country after many sacrifices but the centralization of powers had weakened the system.

Mr Alam urged the PTI leadership not to tender their resignations from assemblies and instead should play their effective role in the elected houses for a stricter check on the policies of the PML-N.

He said the PML-N had also committed many blunders during its one-year rule and the government should make serious efforts to correct them.

Mr Tariq said they would continue opposing anti-people polices of the PML-N but at the same time they would not also support anti-democratic forces.

Ms Bukhari said she had joined the demonstration as a common citizen to support democracy and not to represent her party, PML-N.