Arrests of ARD Activists in Pakistan Showing Increasing Level of Repression

Dear Comrades: 

Please find two emails I received from comrade Sabjer of the Fourth concerning 
the arrests in Lahore of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) 
and noteworthy Internationally known 
Farooq Tariq.  These events in Pakistan are an indications of the growing 
repression and contradictions of the working people there.

I offer this information to let you all know just how serious the situation is 
getting. The recent failure of the US Anaconda mission has the military 
seriously thinking of bringing the war to Pakistan.  The masses of working 
people right now oppose the current US agenda in nearby Afganistan any 
introduction of US or use of joint troops to track down the resistance will 
certainly result in a popular upsurge against US imperialism of unheard of 
propositions. It is in this spirit I believe we need to send solidarity of 
support to 
Farooq Tariq and the ARD and prepare ourselves for further expansion of the war.

We all knew this is going to happen but this is why the upcoming actions in 
Washington D.C. on April 20, 2002 are so vitally important.

Comradly

Tom Siblo


Pakistani police have rounded up at least a dozen opposition leaders in the 
eastern city of Lahore in an overnight operation to block an anti-government 
rally. 


I am sure that the government and people agree on... rescuing the country from 
the scourge of terrorism and sectarianism, at whatever price or cost 
 
President Musharraf  

In a massive security operation, police in riot gear also cordoned off the 
Mochi Gate park where the rally was to be held with barbed wire barricades. 

Thousands had been expected at the meeting, organised by the 15-party Alliance 
for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) to celebrate Pakistan Day. 

President Pervez Musharraf delivered a televised address to mark the day, 
reiterating his pledge to wipe out extremism in the country following renewed 
sectarian violence and attacks on foreigners. 

Security was high across the country ahead of the climax on Monday of the 
annual 10-day Muharram mourning period for the country's minority Shia Muslims. 

Crackdown 

President Musharraf has refused to allow large demonstrations since 12 January, 
when he announced a crackdown on Islamic militants. 

 
Musharraf said the country must unite
 

The government of Punjab had also denied permission for the ARD to hold the 
Pakistan Day rally, citing a recent upsurge in violence between Sunni and Shia 
Muslims. 

Pakistan Day marks the anniversary of a speech in 1940 in which the first 
formal demand for a separate Muslim homeland was made. 

The public meeting was due to be held at the Mochi Gate park, a traditional 
venue for anti-government protests. 

Authorities had said a meeting could be held at a different venue, but the ARD 
turned down the offer. 

Police then ringed the huge park with barbed wire and flooded the grounds, 
threatening to arrest anyone who showed up. 

The activists taken into custody included the Punjab provincial president of 
Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party and the secretary-general of the 
alliance, Iqbal Zaffar Jhagra. 

Police also surrounded the house of ARD leader Nawabzada Nasrullah, who was 
then banned from Lahore district for a month. 

Tough speech 

In his speech to the nation, General Musharraf asked the people of the country 
to unite and fight the menace of religious violence and sectarianism in the 
country. 

 
Violence in Pakistan is causing international concern
 

He said the government was going to revamp the country's law enforcement and 
intelligence gathering network in its drive to crack down on extremism. 

His latest assurance that he is doing his best to improve the law and order 
situation comes amid growing international concern at recent incidents of 
violence. 

Washington has announced the withdrawal of non-essential staff and family 
members of US diplomats in Pakistan following the grenade attack on a church 
last week that killed five people. 

US officials have become increasingly concerned about security in Pakistan 
following the kidnap and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl. 

On Saturday, foreign diplomats were advised to avoid cities including Karachi, 
Rawalpindi and Lahore ahead of Monday's 10th day of Muharram. 

Pakistan's minority Shias will take to the streets to mourn the death of 
Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. 

Security forces patrolled the streets of all of Pakistan's main cities on 
Saturday to head off any possible violence. 





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