PAKISTAN: POLICE ARREST MORE THAN 100 (ARD) PARTY LEADERS AND WORKERS IN LAHORE AS THEY ATTEMPTED TO HOLD A POLITICAL RALLY ON NATIONAL DAY

Record ID: 584865

  • Title: PAKISTAN: POLICE ARREST MORE THAN 100 (ARD) PARTY LEADERS AND WORKERS IN LAHORE AS THEY ATTEMPTED TO HOLD A POLITICAL RALLY ON NATIONAL DAY
  • Date: 23rd March 2001
  • Summary: LAHORE, PAKISTAN (MARCH 23, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WIDE OF EMPTY STREET 0.08 2. VARIOUS OF BLOCKADE OF STREETS BY POLICE (2 SHOTS) 0.19 3. MV: POLICE MOVEMENT 0.29 4. VARIOUS OF BARBED WIRE (2 SHOTS) 0.39 5. WIDE OF BESEIGED HOUSE OF PRESIDENT OF ARD, NAWABZADA NASRULLAH KHAN 0.44 6. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (URDU) ONE LADY POLITICAL ACTIVIST, SAYING: "We had just planned to hold a rally on the national day of Pakistan, it is our right." 0.54 7. VARIOUS OF POLICE ARRESTING WORKERS (5 SHOTS) 1.48 8. MV/WIDE OF POLICE CLOSING DOORS OF NASRULLAH'S HOUSE (2 SHOTS) 1.58 9. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) A MUSLIM LEAGUE WORKER, SAYING: "We wanted to observe Pakistan day, it was not a protest day, it is against all political norms." 2.33 10. VARIOUS POLICE ARRESTING PEOPLE (9 SHOTS) 3.32 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 7th April 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LAHORE, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Reuters ID: LVABTQV7BX6VT3OI2VJ7BM868PG0
  • Story Text: More than a hundred leaders and workers of Alliance for
    Restoration of Democracy (ARD) parties were arrested on Friday
    as police foiled their attempt to hold a political rally on
    national day.


    Police in Pakistan on Friday (March 23) prevented a
    pro-democracy rally called to kickstart a campaign against
    military rule, confining politicians to their homes and
    arresting scores of activists, witnesses said.

    Over hundred leaders and workers of Alliance for
    Restoration of Democracy (ARD) parties were arrested as police
    police baton-charged the members of the 12 party alliance.

    Police sealed many entry points and streets in the city
    with barbed wire, while offices and residence of political
    leaders from the ARD were surrounded by police.

    "It is an unjustified act of police, it was all done
    without warrants, they have locked them up in rooms," said
    General Secretary, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Hina
    Jilani.

    Last week the administration threw out senior ARD leaders
    including Veteran pro-democracy leader Nasrullah Khan, who
    has vowed to continue struggle for the restoration of
    democracy.

    General Pervez Musharraf took over in a bloodless coup in
    October 1999. Since his take over, he has banned on political
    activities in the country.

    The ARD says more than 2,000 of its workers have been
    arrested since Tuesday in the biggest clampdown against
    political activists since military ruler General Pervez
    Musharraf seized power in October 1999.

    Musharraf has vowed not to hold national elections
    before a Supreme Court deadline due to expire in October 2002.

    The military government banned public rallies before a
    visit last year by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The ban
    stayed, although the government says parties can hold indoor
    meetings.




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