Pakistan's "No 1 terrorist" protected by Britain?

.
There has been remarkably little coverage in the British press of the fact that Imran Khan the former international cricketer, is using the British courts to try to bring Altaf Hussain, head of the semi-fascist Muttahida Qaumi Movement, to justice for the massacre of 42 democracy protestors in Lahore on May 12th. Khan is using the well known human rights lawyer, also called Imran Khan.

According to Pakistani paper, the
Daily Times:

“Three weeks ago, gunmen opened fire on a rally supporting Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, triggering bloodshed that left 42 people dead. Khan along with lawyers, human rights activists and opposition parties accuses Hussain of orchestrating the carnage from his residence in London. “The entire incident was planned. No British citizen is allowed to sit in London while directing terrorist operations abroad, so why is there an exception for Altaf Hussain?” said Khan, describing the MQM as “a fascist movement run by criminals”. “

As Imran Khan has pointed out: “The British government is involved in a war against terror but is giving Pakistan’s No 1 terrorist sanctuary”.

For the past 16 years, Hussain has lived in self-imposed exile in the UK initially as an asylum-seeker and currently as a British citizen. He fled to London to escape from criminal prosecution in Pakistan He is now based in an office block on Edgware High Street in north London, from where he rules his party by phone apparently directing his closest lieutenants in long, late-night conversations.

But Hussain does not fit the media profile of a terrorist neatly enough for the British press, or the British government to be interested. His party, the MQM tries to project an image based on secularism, economic development and support for the “war on terror” since entering a coalition government with President Pervez Musharraf in 2002, himself an Ally of Britain and the USA.

In reality the MQM has always been liked to extortion, gun smuggling and international crime networks, it is also an ethno-linguistically defined supremacist party, representing the Urdu speaking community who fled to Pakistan following partition in 1947.

So why is New Labour, usually obsessed with terror, so quiet? Why is the British press so quiet about a murder gang being allegedly orchestrated from Britain against democracy protestors ?

Could it be because Altaf Hussain’s party is included in President Mussaraf’s government?

Pakistani socialist arrested again

Leader of the Labour Party of Pakistan, FAROOQ TARIQ, has been arrested again by police. This is in the context of a continuing crisis for the government of General Musharraf



Farooq’s lawyer explains the current situation:

•Police has no detention orders (up till now) for him, so we can say the arrest is very illegal.

On MOnday he was initially detained in Hurbancepura police station
from 4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Many civil society activists visited to him
including Joint Action Committee and Pakistan Social Forum's officials.

•At 10:00 pm Tuesday he was shifted on unknown place by the police.

•By a provision of the law, within 24 hours of the arrest police have
to produce the arrestee with the statement of alligation/alligations or some evidences to the duty session Judge. After the arguments by the lawyers and judgment, Judge may send him to jail or retain him with the police for further investigation.

•Now the limit of 24 hours is crucial, to avoid the provision of law
police shifted him to another unknown place before the 24 hours are passed.

•Police officials are denying providing any information or legal status to anybody regarding Farooq.

•A habeas corpus petition against the police by the Lahore Bar
Association is in process.

•To day SHO provide some false statements/allegations verbally before
the Judge and did not produce Farooq as per notice given by the court.

•The Court passed fresh orders to Police Superintend of the region to
produce Farooq tomorrow with the allegations or detention orders by the interior ministry. Now the date 07-06-2007 would be important in this regard.

•All District Bar Associations of Lahore, High court Bar Associations, Media Associations, Political Parties and civil society organizations are in solidarity with us.

Pakistan's Workers' movement fighting for democracy

“Most widest and broadest gathering” in support of Advocates movement

Report by: Khaliq Shah

The advocate solidarity conference decided to stir up more public support for the advocate’s movement for an independent judiciary and an end of military dictatorship. It decided to brig more and more people in the demonstrations and rallies planned for future.

“Without participation of the working class, the movement can not achieve its real goals” was message echoed again and again.

Organised by Labour Party Pakistan in collaboration with Labour Education Foundation at Lahore Press Club on 23rd May, the conference was the “most widest and broadest gathering so far in support of the advocate movement” according to Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali, a former foreign minister and a leader of Pakistan Peoples Party. Asif Ahmad Ali was one of 35 speakers at the conference.

Over 60 radical organizations participated in the conference. It was almost all the radical forces of Lahore that got together. The president Ahsan Bhoon and secretary Sarfraz Cheema of Lahore High Court Bar Association, the main leaders of the movement, spoke in length about the movement and why they need all the help from the trade unions, radical social organizations and professional organizations.

Chaired by Talib Nawz, central president of Pakistan Workers Confederation, the main trade union body in Pakistan , speakers after speaker warned the participants that this is last chance to get rid of the dictatorship, it is matter of life and death, many commented.

Several commented on the most recent statement of the General Musharaf who said that he will not take of the military uniform and that he is so used to the uniform that it is like his skin and I can not take of my skin.

“The skin will be taken of like we do it during the sacrifices of the animal on Eid days, but we are not professional butchers, so there will be many cuts on the skin while taken it of, there will be a lot of pain for the General during this process, we are sorry for that but we will take it of in any circumstances, we will not tolerate the military uniform as the president of Pakistan” commented Sarfraz Cheema, the young and ever fighting secretary of Lahore High Court Bar Association.

The conference tone was very radical. It was a message of defiant. It was a full support for the movement of the lawyers that has inspired every one. It made it clear that we not only need to change the faces but also to change the system. Speakers made it clear to the leaders of the political parties and even to the leaders of advocate movement that any deal with the military dictatorship will not be accepted. It is to get rid of dictatorship.

The common declaration not only opposed the process of privatization but it suggested nationalizing all the denationalized industry. The declaration adopted unanimously demanded an end of neo liberal policies and a minimum wage of 10,000 Rupees (US$ 170) a month. It demanded an immediate resignation of Generl Mushjaraf, formation of a transition government under the representatives of civil society organization in consultation of political parties and a formation of an independent election commission. The transitional government must organize a general elections within three months and hand over power to the elected representatives.

The advocate solidarity conference, the first of its kind so for was attended by the following political parties, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Group, Awami National Party, National Workers Party, Awami Tehrik (Peoples Movement), Istiqlal Party, Labour Party Pakistan. These were the invited political parties and they all came.

The Ihsan Wain general secretary Awami National Party (ANP) was one of the main speakers at the conference. 26 members of ANP were killed in the Karachi May 12 incidents by MQM thugs, a semi fascist group in Karachi supporting military government when they were in the streets of Karachi to welcome the chief justice. It was a bloodiest day in the history of Karachi , over 43 was killed and many hundreds injured. He told the conference that I have fought against three military dictatorships during the past 50 years. I can say after judging the mood of the people that this military government will not survive either. “Join the movement, the days of the dictatorship are numbered, kick them hard, it is a fight of life and death” Ihsan Wain told the conference.

Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali categorically denied any deal of Benazir Bhottu with the military dictatorship. “I was in Dubai last week on the invitation of Benazir Bhottu, She has asked me to make it absolute clear that PPP will fight under the leadership of the advocates to get rid of this military dictatorship.

Choudry Gulzar Ahmed general secretary All Pakistan Trade Union federation and president Pakistan Workers Confederation Punjab, Yousaf Baluch chairman National Trade Union Federation, Mian Qayum, president All Pakistan textile workers union and several more trade union leaders asked the working class to join the movement.

Shah Taj Qazalbash convener Joint Action Committee for Peoples Rights, Gulnar of Women Action Forum, Rabia Bajwa a fomer finace secretary of Lahore High Court Bar Association, Nazli Javed of Labour Education Foundation, Azra Shad of Women Workers Help Line spoke of women participation in the movement and need to bring more and more women in the movement.

A joint Action Committee from the Lahore High Court Bar Association decided to meet every Tuesday at Lahore High Court with representatives of trade unions and social organization to coordinate the movement.

The massive presence electronic and print media showed the importance of the event.

The Messages of solidarity from international left organizations were handed over to the representatives of the advocate’s movement.

Pakistan - the mass movement spreads

On the foot steps of advocates, till the end of dictatorship
By: Farooq Tariq

On 8th March 2007, no one in Pakistan would have thought of mass movement erupting in near future that with a potential to overthrow general Mushraf regime. A day later on 9th March, he suspended the chief justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan. He had the illusion that nothing would happen and business as usual would go on. He had done it in the past successfully.

But it was different this time. Immediately after the suspension, the 80,000 strong advocates’ community started agitation against the decision.

The peak of this agitation was on 14th May 2007. For the first time since General Musharaf took over the power in October 1999, whole Pakistan shut down. It was the first political strike in seven years. It was also the first political action that was not initiated by the religious fundamentalist forces.

On 14 May, Pakistan was united against military dictatorship and gangsters of MQM, (United National Movement) a linguistic party sharing power along with General Musharaf. From Karachi to Peshawar , all the shops were closed and there was a very thin traffic on the streets. In Lahore, the largest ever demonstration since 9th March took place from Lahore High Court to Governor House on the main Mall Road. Over 15000 participated.

The strike was a solid one and even traders associated with the military regime went on strike. A great anger was expressed against the killing of over 40 political activists who went to the reception of chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Choudry on 12 May in Karachi . Over 200 were injured by the direct firing of the thugs of MQM who had announced that they will not tolerate the reception in Karachi .

“ Karachi is ours and we would not like the political parties to politicize the issue of chief justice” was declared by Farooq Sattar, the parliamentary head of MQM a day earlier. Karachi is in the control of this neo fascist organization that based itself on the immigrants of 1947 who speaks Urdu language. They control the local bodies and almost all the provincial and national seats from the largest city of Pakistan .

The 12 May saw some of the worst incidents of direct killings of innocent citizens and political activists from different opposition parties in Karachi . All the roads linkined to Shahrai Faisal, the main road to airport was blocked by massive containers and trucks. The purpose was to stop people coming to the main road for welcome.

Although there was hundreds of Labour Party Pakistan activists present in different routs to airport, fortunately, none of them was injured or killed. They were bringing the injured one to hospitals. Several buses load of LPP activists were snatched by the gangsters of MQM and they dragged the activists inside with their guns on their heads.

“I am at Awami Markaz hiding behind a pillar of the bridge, firing is going on from different sides, next to me are lying five person full of blood, they have been hit by bullets, there is no ambulance to take them to hospital, I am crying all the time, I can not help the injured one, and I may be hit as well” Azra Perveen, a Labour Party Pakistan activist told me on telephone on 12th May at 2pm. We tried to send the media and some ambulances, but no one was ready to go that place. It was only after two hours that the injured were rushed to hospital.

Sadly, three of them died later. Azra is in a state of shock for the last three days. She has seen the blood every where.

A private TV channel Aaj tried to show live the firing by the gangsters. So the semi fascist groups came there and fired at the TV channel building for over six hours.

The local police and rangers had given a free hand to “deal” with the opposition. The chief justice was blocked at the Karachi airport alongside with 25 advocates. They were held for nine hours at the airport. The state authorities wanted him to go by helicopter to Sind High Court building to address the Sind High Court Bar Association. This was to avoid the reception of the people outside on the main roads. He refused to go by this way.

While they stopped the chief justice at the airport, the private army of the MQM opened fire on all those who came in processions to receive and welcome the chief justice. Thus a firing drama lasted for over 14 hours, resulting deaths of over 40 till mid night.

After the incidents of 12th May, the MQM is neither united nor national. They are many resigning from MQM in Punjab and Karachi is not united anymore for MQM after nearly two decades.

The same night on 12th May, the conservative Muslim League Q had planned a “mass” rally in Islamabad in support of the sacking of chief justice. Muslim League is in power with General Musharaf. This was a rally planned weeks earlier to counter the growing sympathies for the chief justice and a growing demand of an end of the military regime.

All the state employees were asked to attend the rally. All the sanitary workers were forced to attend. The Muslim League had promised to give Rupees two to five hundred ($3.5 to $8.5) for every one who attends this “historic” rally with free mineral water and food. They are regular complaints printed for the last two days in the national media about ignoring the promises of such kind. Despite all the efforts, not more than 20,000 were in the rally. It was not a rally but a festival chance for many to see Islamabad .

Addressing this rally general Musharaf praised the MQM by saying that people of Karachi has come out today. Yes, they came out to be hit by bullets of the supporters of General Musharraf.

It all went against the regime. Their rally in Islamabad was a failure. Their strategy to stop the reception of chief justice resulted in bloodshed. They lost the support among the middle class, the traditional support for the military regime and MQM. The representatives of over 480 markets of Lahore announced and acted upon the call for a shutter down strike on 12th May. It was mainly announced by the former supporters of the Musharaff regime.

The movement of the advocates had started by the bar associations across Pakistan after 9th March 2007. The advocates historically have been in the forefront of every democratic struggle in Pakistan . They were the main force behind the movement against General Auyb Khan dictatorship in the sixties; they were also responsible for keeping the movement alive during General Zia dictatorship in the eighties.
Some of them have been cooperating with the military regime of general Musharaff. Some of them had illusions of the nature of the regime. They thought it might be a progressive military regime. But all that is gone with the wind.

The movement has developed from no where to every where. It is every where. People are talking about it. They are very angry about the bloodshed. They have all seen it on the TV by the live coverage of competing private tv channels. Mostly they have mobile phones that have helped to get the immediate information.

There has been numerous hunger strike camps, protest camps, small and big demonstrations mainly by the advocates during the first sixty days of the movement. The movement was built up slow but steadily. The consistency in the protests by the advocates convinced many ordinary Pakistanis to give attention to the movement.
The movement to end the military regime in Pakistan is in its second phase of repression. The first phase of repression was to suppress the advocates in the first week of the movement just after 9th March. Many advocates were beaten up by police and many were arrested. That did not work.

Then regime strategy was to exhaust the movement by opening up. They allowed the demonstrations to take place freely. That brought more people in the movement including the activists of political parties mainly Muslim league (Nawaz) Peoples Party, parties associated with Awami jamhoori Tehreek, the left alliance including Labour Party Pakistan, Awami National Party, National Party, Baluchistan National Party, MMA, the religious alliance and so on.

The second phase of repression has started from 4th May. This time it was mainly against the political activists. I was also detained for three days by Lahore police from 4th May to 7th May. This was to prevent the political activists arranging the reception of chief justice while he was due in Lahore on 5th May to address the Lahore High Court Bar Association. He reached Lahore from Islamabad in 25 hours instead of normal five hours. This was due to the massive turn out on the main GT road to welcome the chief justice.

Labour Party Pakistan saw the potential of the movement just after 9th March. It became part of the movement from the very beginning. Its poster “on the footsteps of the advocates till the end of dictatorship” was most hit poster among the advocates. It has printed leaflets in thousands to distribute among the communities appealing them to join the movement. It has organized public meetings and rallies to bring people part of the movement.

Who is this chief justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan who has initiated the movement? The chief justice Iftikhar Choudry was no exception than the other judges who has helped this regime to sustain. But in his two years of office, he took many sue motto notices of ordinary Pakistanis who were subject to human rights violations. He particularly helped the women victims of rape and conservative reactionary customary practices that make women half of man.

He also took notices of the irregularities of the privatization process of Pakistan Steel Mills in Karachi . He in fact stopped the privatization of this massive industrial unit of Pakistan . On the other hand, he has also given decisions against the trade union rights and so on and he has banned some strikes of the public sector.

So he was not a worthy hero of ordinary people of Pakistan , but some one who helps some times. He earned respect when he refused to resign on 9th March, when he was called at the Army House by general Musharaf in the presence of five military generals. The military generals’ immediately removed him from the post and put him under house arrest. This resulted in an absolute anger among the advocates who termed this act as an attack on the judiciary.

The movement is gaining momentum among the masses day by day. This is because of the implementation of neo liberal agenda at a faster speed. The privatization, the deregulation, the so-called free market policies meant an upsurge of the prices of every day use at a level never seen before. People were fed up of the regime but had no trust on the main political parties. So they were angry but not part of the movement.

The religious fundamentalists MMA who had the street power used this to gain more and more concessions from the regime including power in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and sharing power in another province Balushistan. But they had come out to save the regime when ever it was in trouble.

Now the religious fundamentalist are trailing behind the advocate’s movement, in the hope to hijack the movement. They have lent their support to the advocate but that are not trust worthy. They can any time go along the military regime.

So is the Pakistan People Party. Benazir Bhutto admitted last month that it is in contact with the military regime and they are ready to share power with General Musharaf as president. This sparked a great anger among the advocates who are mainly led by supporters of PPP. But the deal of the PPP is washed away in the heat of the movement. Benazir does not say any more that she is willing to share power with General Musharaf.

The movement of the advocates is led by mainly young generation. It is their first experience and they are up to the mark. They do not act upon the advices of the seniors to go slow. That is the strength of the movement.

How and when Mushraf will step down, who will take over, will it be another general to hold general elections or a transitional government of some alliances, these are some of the question discussed in the movement. One thing is absolute sure that Musharaf is weaker to an extent never seen before. He can not last long as he had planned. Many have started counting the days. He is general on his last legs.

For further background see Lal Khan's article

Protest strike wave spreads across Pakistan

.
The following report of a growing general strike is coming in from comrades in Pakistan. This follows the massacre if at least 34 pro-democracy protestors by armed thugs of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Urdu speaking Islamist extremists), see reports below.

"Following a general strike call given by Awami Tahreek's (Peoples Movement) Central Leaders a complete shut down general strike is being observed in all major cities and small towns of Sindh ( Province Pakistan). The strike call was given by Awami Tahreek after the brutal murder of its central leader Nawaz Kanrani by MQM terrorists near Karachi Airport yesterday.

"According to KTN, Sindh TV and Aaj Tv reports general strike, sit-ins and protest rallies are carried out in different major cities and thousands of party workers of Awami Tahreek and its women and students wings (Sindhiani Tahreek and Sindhi Shagird Tahreek SST) and common citizens of Sindh have come on roads in different cities and towns of Sindh.

"According to TV reports complete shutter-down strike is being observed and rallies, marches and sit-ins have been arranged in cities and towns across Sindh.

"Thousands of Worker of Awami Tahreek and Sindhiani Tahreek with their RED & BLACK Flags marching in Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Larkana, Badin, Thatta and Dadu. More than 340 workers have been arrested in different parts of Sindh. According to KTN reports the City Police has just arrested 32 activists of SST (student wing) and Awami ahreek near Gul Centre Hyderabad.

"While addressing the rallies and marches the speakers said that the government was blatantly violating the fundamental rights and constitutional provisions and MQM (Ruling Party Mutahida Qomi Movement) has broken all its past records of brutality. They said under the directions of General Musharaf they are working for Emergency and Martial Law and deliberately the local police in front of armed terrorists was given only lathees. They said we salute the courage and firmness of Justice Iftikahr. They said Sindh and Federal Governments are responsible for this massacre of innocent Sindhis. Pakhtoons, Balochs and Punjabis and Supreme Court should take notice of this savage brutality as this entire episode has been planned by Mr. Musharaf, MQM and ML Q.

"According to sources, followed by the shameless attack on Aaj TV, MQM and Agencies once again have issued directions to Karachi based TV channels and Urdu media to not to cover General Strike News and Awami Tahreek Protest Day activities."

Eyewitness to massacres in Pakistan

I have recieved the following eye-witness report of yesterday's massacre from the Labour Education Foundation (Pakistan)

"The whole population of Karachi was very enthusiastically waiting to make a historical reception of Chief justice of Pakistan on 12th May 2007. All major political parties, trade unions, civil society organizations and professional bodies had chalk out theirs plans to give rousing well come to the honorable guest .The vibrant mood of city was alarming for the ethnic organization who is very near and dear to General Musharaf and Company.

"They come to rescue their master through rein of terror which let loose on peoples of Karachi since 11th May night. They have started terrorizing and harassing activists of opposition parties and common citizens and forcing them not to attend the rallies in respect of the Chief Justice reception on 12th May.

"Just after the sun set on 11th May they started their ugly game with the all out support of Provincial and city government and army headed rangers. They took the control of all the roads and inter sections that lead toward the airport. They had started to snatch and scratch banners and posters and uproot the reception camps of different parties. The goons of ethnic party had made an attempt on life of Munier A malik, Lawyer of CJ and tried to kidnap Akhter Hussein Advocate, former president of Sindh High Court Bar Association from his home in Gulshan Iqbal area, just to spread panic in the city.

"They create an environment on fear all over the city and had made mid night knocked on the door of opponents and threaten them dire consequences if them did not follow them. They put hurdles on the roads; hundreds of buses laid on shahra Faisal, only road which connecting the city to the airport. All main points from where workers would reach the airport blocked by the trailers, big trucks and water tankers with punctured tyres. All these points where policed by the well-armed hardcore members of MQM along with army and rangers personnel. All the day they didn’t let the people towards the airport.

"The high command of MQM had ordered their workers to hijack hundreds of buses of Karachi University, NED engineering University, IBA, DOW medical College, Sindh Medical College on one hand and forcefully took away the buses of opponents and tortured them harshly. They attacked the Labour Party Pakistan workers with heavy firing at Awami Merkaz where three persons injured. After it the series of violence against the rallies participants converted into bloody war.

"They had started direct firing on thousands of participants of the rallies when they stared to reach near airport. The incidents of heavy firing with sophisticated weapons where reported and also seen by me at Awami Merkaz, Star Gate, Malir Halt, Natha Khan Goth, Drigh Road station, Goro Mandir Chowk, Nazimabad and near Baloch Colony bridge. The terrorists of MQM had torched the offices of “AAJ TV” and “Business Recorder” and put on fire scores of cars, motor cycles and other vehicles parked out side the office to show their rage on live coverage of terrorist activities of MQM.

"I visited Jinnah Hospital where I saw ten dead bodies and hundreds of injured at emergency. There are reports of 20 political workers’ death and more then 350 seriously injured till the filing of this writ up at 5.00pm, majority of dead and injured were ANP and ML (N) workers.

"Chief Justice is still stuck at airport, he refused to go with officials of governments and told them that he would go along with his hosts,the Sindh High Court bar Association. many lawyers are still missing, office bearers and more the 50 members of Malir Bar association were severely tortured by the MQM workers. The ten members including Zahoor Hussain Mehar, Voice president of Malir District bar association, who took refuge in Mosque, which was surrounded by the gang of terrorist, were rescued by the Labour Party Pakistan with the help of Asad But of HRCP.

"Situation is very much tense every where, city is in the grip of fear and uncertainty and ethnic tension is very high again. All democratic peace-loving forces come forward and fly high the flag of democracy, which is now become red with the blood of innocent workers. Today’s martyrs are heroes of democratic struggle, their blood will usher a new era of democracy, triumph just cause and ever lasting defeat of military dictators. "

Massacre in Pakistan - General Strike Monday!

.

News is breaking through from comrades in Paksitan of a high level of government violence against democracy protestors. Appalling violence has been employed by the Mutahida Qomi Movement (MQM), (an islamist political party of Urdu speakers) supporting the military government of Musharraf. A least 30 people have been killed as right wing thugs attacked democracy protestors, shooting them dead.

Even Hospitals were attacked by armed government supporters. MQM gunmen firing at the hospital for about one hour from the roofs of adjoining buildings injuring some patients & several visitors. A hospital staff member said, "We were lying on the ground to avoid getting injured."

Sindhi and Punjabi Police Constables complained that they had only been issued with wooden trungeons (lathees) to deal with armed terrorists, saying to reporters: “This is a deliberate high level conspiracy”

Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) General Secretary, Farooq Tariq while holding Musharraf regime, Sindh government and MQM responsible for the killings in Karachi, has paid tributes to the political activists who laid their lives for the cause of democracy as well as independence of judiciary and valiantly faced the bullets.

He also announced to observe the Black day and appealed to the workers, trade unions and masses to observe a general strike on Monday. He said: ‘ The government and it’s political pet MQM have been hand in glove in perpetuating violence in order to derail the democracy movement further triggered by the dismissal of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’.

He demanded an immediate resignation of general Musharraf, Sindh governor and chief minister.

Farooq said hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy workers received Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on GT Road, dozens of rallies have been held by lawyers and activists all across the country since March 9 and nowhere even a stone was cast. ‘The blood is on the hands of federal as well as Sindh government and MQM leadership. A judicial inquiry should be conducted to probe the killings and culprits be brought to justice’, he demanded.

Paying tributes to the democracy martyrs, he said movements grow when watered by the blood of martyrs. He vowed to continue the democracy struggle on the platform of his party in collaboration with other democratic and progressive forces.

Pakistan: lawyers' revolt lights the fuse

...


As I reported earlier, general secretary of the Labour Party Pakistan, Farook Tariq has been arrested by the military government of President Pervez Musharraf. Farook was arrested because of his role in organising protests in support of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who has built a reputation for challenging human rights abuses and government wrongdoing.

Today, tens of thousands demonstrated in Lahore. Lahore is the capital of the Punjab, the headquarters of Pakistan's legal community, and the base of President Musharraf's political party, the Pakistan Muslim League. Here is the BBC report .



The authority of the government has been undermined by a show of opposition from the judiciary, defending their independence. According to the Nation a majority of judges from Lahore’s high court were attending a reception in support of Chaudrey, including six out of the seven most senior judges who sit on the administration Committee of the court.

The defiance of the judiciary for the military government has given confidence to ordinary workers and the poor to join the protests, in a carnival of definace. The Daily Times reports :

“The chief justice, sitting in a vehicle driven by his lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, set out from Islamabad in a convoy of around 30 cars displaying black flags at around 7:45am, ignoring the government’s advice that he [should not] travel by road. The convoy had swelled to over 200 cars and was several kilometres long by the time it reached Ravi Bridge at around 5:00am on Sunday morning, a journey that would normally take four hours taking almost 21 hours. Thousands of opposition supporters and lawyers stayed up all night in anticipation … thousands lining the streets and chanting anti-government slogans, playing drums and setting off fireworks. Jubilant supporters clutching their children struggled through a boisterous crowd in Gujranwala to see Justice Chaudhry as his car passed by. In Gujrat city, a white horse pranced in front of his car and fireworks exploded as his convoy edged through the crowds”

The photographs of the demonstration show the role of socialists, and especially socialist women. Thanks to the Labour Education Foundation of Pakistan for these.

Farooq Tariq arrested!!

...


General Secretary of the Labour Party Pakistan, comrade Farooq Tariq was arrested from his Lahore office by a heavy contingent of Punjab Police at 1:30 p.m on Friday. The Labour Party of Pakistan was previously a section of Ted Grant's CWI group, and is a serious and important socialist organisation. For example they recently organised celebrations of May Day across Pakistan involving thousands of trade unionists and activists, including 1000 marching with red flags through Karachi, and 600 marching through the town of Sawat, in a province controlled by Islamist religious fantatics.

The pictuire shows a protest by the LPP outside the karachi press club on saturday, demanding Farooq's release.

Farook has been taken to garhi shahu police station, Lahore where he would be detained. It may be mentioned that Farooq Tariq and Labour Party Pakistan has been in the forefront in the on-going movement for restoration of chief justice of Pakistan, Iftekhar Mohammed Chaudhry. Farooq Tariq was among the leading activists organizing a popular reception in Lahore to welcome chief justice Iftikhar choudhry.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudry has challenged the rule of the government and has refused to resign despite general pressure. Now the case of the government against the chief justice is being heard at Supreme Court of Pakistan. Over 90 percent of the total 80,000 advocates have protested against the action of the government. The movement has since then expanded and now it has become a movement to overthrow the military regime. Thousands were expected to rally in his support, including trade unionists. Iit is the involvementn of the LPP in this movement that seems to have led to Farooq's arrest.

Farooq Tariq was a bit aware about his possible arrest as a news item has already been published about a list of persons may be arrested in Daily Jang nespaper. When he contacted the police station about the mention of his name in list of persons who might be arrested, the police officers denied this news item. So Farooq was relaxed and was doing his work as usual at party office. But suddenly a police van reached at 1.30 pm before his office and men in uniform rushed to his office to arrest him.

Labour Party Pakistan thinks the purpose of the arrest is to stop LPP from exercising its democratic right to protest. We condemn his illegal arrest and demands immediate release. LPP tomorrow’s scheduled reception for chief justice Pakistan will be held at district courts according to the program.


STOP PRESS: UPDATE

Comrade Tariq Farooq has been released. He sent the following e-mail to Peter Boyle in Austarlia (see coments)

"I was released late last night. The police chief told me that he has three months detention order and he is sending me to one of the most natorius jail in Mianwali, around 400 kilometer away from Lahore.

"He wanted me to stop agitation against military regime. I plainly refused and told him that Human Rights Commision of Pakistan has taken my case already. I told him tha he should take of his job as he has done an illegle act by taking me in custody. We had a hot word exchange.

"LPP had announced nationwide demos for today. Yours and others letter of protest and messages had started to arrive. The electronic media was broadcasting my arrest. An SMS campaign on the mobile phone meant a non stop messages of protest.

"So he called me at 12 night again to tell that he is suspending my detention order and I can go home.

Thanks,
Farooq Tariq"