Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 17:15:21 +0300 (BEAUT)
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Subject: PAKISTAN: Government flayed for opposition round-up [2010322]
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PAKISTAN: Government flayed for opposition round-up

ISLAMABAD, 22 March (IRIN) - The chairman of the Human Rights Commission
of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday strongly condemned the government for the
arrest and detention of thousands of political activists, as well as key
opposition leaders, in what appears to be the largest crackdown on
political parties since the military seized power on 12 October 1999. 

The arrests coincided with the latest round of local elections on
Wednesday, which are part of the military government's efforts to restore
what it calls genuine democracy to Pakistan. 

"It is public knowledge that thousands of political activists have been
arrested prior to an opposition political rally which was to be held in
Lahore on 23 March, the national day of Pakistan," Human Rights Commission
chairman Afrasiyab Khattak told IRIN on Thursday.

"We are deeply concerned at this indiscriminate action against political
parties and regard it as a step in the wrong direction in the context of
the government's promise to restore democracy to Pakistan," he said. 

"By arresting political activists from mainstream political parties, the
government is creating a vacuum which is being filled by extremists. It is
not a positive sign for the future of democracy and peace and order in
this country. We, as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, call for the
immediate release of all individuals currently in custody on political
grounds," Khattak added. 

The criticism of the government by the Human Rights Commission follows
what its chairman described as the recent arrests of thousands of
political activists throughout the western province of Punjab. This was
done under the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance (MPO), a preventive
law which has been used by successive governments against the opposition,
according to Khattak. Many of the people detained in this manner were
still being held despite the absence of formal charges against them, he
said. 

On Wednesday, 22 opposition figures were arrested in a raid on a house in
the western city of Lahore after gathering to discuss the recent arrests
of political activists. Among those arrested were the Alliance for
Restoration of Democracy (ARD) leader Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and senior
officials from the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League,
according to the BBC.

Major-General Rashid Qureshi, press secretary for Pakistan's Chief
Executive, Pervez Musharraf, told IRIN on Thursday that the arrests were
completely justifiable because the government could not allow violation of
the rules and laws prohibiting political activities and gatherings.

"There is no justification to use 23 March or any other day to hold a
political protest and this law is clearly stated by the Supreme Court,
Qureshi said. "If someone has an objection to this ruling, they should
file a case to the Supreme Court." 

Qureshi said the political parties involved were the same rich and elite
groups that had corrupted Pakistani politics for so long [before Musharraf
seized power on 12 October 1999].

Regarding Wednesday's second phase of local elections held throughout the
country, Qureshi said there was mass enthusiasm for grass roots democracy
in Pakistan. 

"In the first round of local elections held on 31 December, we had a
massive participation of 46 percent, a record level never before seen in
Pakistan. We are working against time. We cannot allow these other people
to derail the process of democratisation," he said. 

Four rounds of local elections, due to be completed later this year, are
part of the military government's planned devolution of power. Musharraf
has publicly pledged to hold national elections within the next two years. 

[ENDS]

[IRIN-Asia: Tel: +92-51-2211451 Ext 480-4 Fax: +92-51-2211450 or
+92-51-2211475 e-mail: irinasia@irin.org.pk]


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