Protest Rallies in Pakistan; Ex-President, Opposition Leaders Arrested
'Pakistan Times' Bureaus Report

LAHORE: Police and the agitating demonstrators here clashed in front of the Masjid-e-Shuhda and Neela Gumbad, while the former president Rafique Tarar, Zulfiquar Khosa and Amirul Azim including scores of opposition leaders and workers were arrested on Friday.

The opposition had given a call for taking out a rally after Friday prayer from Neela Gumbad in protest against the Chief Justice of Pakistan being made non-functional. The police barricaded the roads leading to the Neela Gumbad and all the shops in the area were also asked to keep shut.

Former President Rafique Tarar, Zulfiquar Khosa, Amirul Azim and Khawaja Saad Rafique accompanied by other leaders and workers of the opposition parties gathering at Neela Gumbad at 1.00 PM [PST] taken out a rally and despite police efforts to stop them, the rally continued the march from Neela Gumbad to Masjid-e-Shuhda and finally entered into the mosque.

On this occasion, a clash between the police and the demonstrators ensued and the police baton charged the demonstrators and fired teargas.

The demonstrators hurled stones on the police. Later the police entered the mosque and arrested former president Rafique tarar, Zulfiquar Khosa, Ayaz Sadique, Pervaiz Malik, Amirul Azim and Mujtaba Suja ur Rahman including scores of opposition leaders and workers.

On the other hand, lawyers here also staged protest demonstrations and a clash with the police took place at GPO Chowk. Police resorted to baton charge.

MMA Chief

Meanwhile, another report says that Islamabad police have arrested Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) leaders Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Hafiz Hussain Ahmad.

Earlier, opposition leaders and activists offered Friday prayers that were led by MMA Chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad after which they had tried to reach to Supreme Court.

Clashes erupted between the protestors and police that used tear gas to disperse the protestors.

Police tried to put Qazi Hussain into police van that was strongly resisted by the MMA activists at the scene.

Policemen fired tear gas shells and baton-charged protestors to disperse them.

Qasim Zia

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) provincial leader and the leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Qasim Zia was detained in Lahore at his house, say PPP sources.

Liaquat Baloch

According to another report, Police arrested the main leader of Muhttahida Mahlis Amal (MMA) Liaquat Baloch, claimed Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Friday.

JI Secretary Information Punjab said that Liaquat Baloch was arrested from his Muslim Town residence.


Scuffles

Police and protesters remained engaged in skirmishes in Islamabad Friday amid protest of lawyers and workers of political parties.

There were stringent security measures taken up at the occasion of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s hearing; however, after Friday prayer, continuous clashes began taking place between police and demonstrators.

Muttahdi Majlis-e-Amal and ARD and other political parties and lawyers’ organizations announced to observe Black Day and demonstration day.

Despite repeated government assurance, extreme severe security measures had been taken up around the capital. Police started arresting people from the morning.

Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed tried to move towards Supreme Court, but police checked their movement and arrested them.

Police used teargas on large scale. During this situation, many demonstrations and police officials were injured.

Protesters set ablaze a police vehicle at Blue Area of the federal capital. Policemen baton charged and fired teargas shells over the protesters. The protesters were throwing stones in their hands.

Strict Security

The capital city, Islamabad was placed under strict security arrangements, as the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC)’s hearing of the presidential reference against the non-functional Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry resumed here.

The road leading to the Parliament House and the Supreme Court stood barricaded, while the heavy contingents remained posted at the residence of the non-functional Chief Justice Iftikhar Cahudhry.

Besides, fire Brigade and hospitals have were put on high alert and asked to remain ready for meeting any emergency situation emanating on this occasion, sources told.

Lawyers in Lahore

Following four consecutive days of total boycotts of the courts, the lawyers here observed one-hour token strike and held hunger strike camps at the Lahore High Court Bar and wore black bands on the arms in continuation of their protests against making the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry non-functional.

Talking to the media at the LHC hunger camp, LHC Bar president, Ahsan Bhawan said that the lawyers would continue their struggle until the restoration of the supremacy of constitution and democracy.

He told that an all Pakistan lawyers convention would be held in the Lahore High Court Bar on March 17 for finalizing the next strategy in this regard.

Lawyers held a protest demonstration Friday at Mall Road Lahore and were engaged in skirmishes with police at GPO Chowk.

Lahore High Court Bar and Lahore Bar officials in separate press conferences had announced to hold a rally at Mall Road.

Police closed gates of Lahore High Court as lawyers were leaving the court for demo but the lawyers jumped over the gates and reached to the Mall Road.

Police stopped lawyers with a barrier at GPO Chowk to reach Neela Gunbad, which was resulted in clashes between police and lawyers. The lawyers snatched batons from some policemen amid police baton charge.

Karachi

And in Karachi, a large number of people Friday staged protest outside Masjid Khizra.

People at the protest demonstration organized by Muttahida Majlis Amal were carrying the placards and banners. They also chanted slogans.

The participants also marched to Supreme Court Karachi Bench amid tight security where they staged a sit-in.

Among others who spoke to the rallies were; Aadil Khan of Karachi Bar Association, MMA MPA Younus Barai, MMA MNA Laeeq Ahmed, Tehrik Insaaf Sindh President Zubair Khan, Yousuf Masti Khan, Basharat Mirza of Pakistan Democratic Party. MMA Karachi chief Siddiq Rathor, Hashim Siddiqi of JUP, Allama Nazir Abbas Naqvi of Tehrik Islami, Saeed Ghani of PPP and others.

Peshawar

Protest demonstrations were staged in Peshawar also. Protest procession started from Peshawar High Court and ended at Judicial Complex.

The strike camp was also set up at Peshawar High Court.

Baochistan

In different districts of Baochistan, the lawyers staged token hunger strike and boycotted the courts. District Bar Council Quetta also staged token huger strike.

Balochistan High Court Bar Association President Shakeel Ahmed said the lawyers are still continuing the protest demonstrations in Sibbi, Loralai, Pashin, Khuzdar, Qallat, Panjgoor, Turbat, Gwadar, Hub, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Naushki and Dera Murad Jamali.

MQM Chief Reax

Describing the Presidential Reference against Supreme Court Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as purely a constitutional matter, the MQM chief Altaf Hussain however said his party was neither taken into confidence nor consulted on this issue.

Commenting on the situation prevailing in Pakistan, MQM chief in a statement on Friday said being a patriot Pakistani, he sincerely appeals to the government to resolve this issue in accordance to law and constitution.

Altaf Hussain also stressed to end forthwith the use of force against masses.

"Pakistan is passing through a very critical situation and is faced with global threats that require unity among the nation," he asserted suggesting avoiding the raids and arrests and releasing of the political leaders and workers so far arrested.

MQM chief also appealed to the opposition leaders to give up emotional way of protesting and adopt a peaceful and positive way to resolve the issue.

He also demanded of government to ensure freedom of press.●