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Pakistan bans rallies of more than 5 people
 ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistani officials have banned rallies of more than five people in the capital, an official said on Friday, a day ahead of a planned procession from the city by supporters of the suspended chief justice. "We have imposed a ban on rallies in Islamabad. A notification about it has been issued, and this step has been taken to ensure peace and avoid any inconvenience to the general public, said Mohammed Ali, Islamabads deputy chief of administration.However, Ali said there were no immediate plans to keep ousted Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhrys supporters from joining him in a 50-kilometer (30-mile) procession Saturday to Abbotabad, north of Islamabad, where the judge wants to address a gathering of lawyers. After a ban is imposed, anyone wanting to organize a gathering of more than five people must get permission from the government. Ali said no request had come from Chaudhrys supporters for the procession. Aitzaz Ahsan, a lawyer for Chaudhry, told The Associated Press that no permission was needed. "God willing, we will go to Abbotabad with the chief justice on Saturday, and we have no plan to apply for any permission, he said, acknowledging he was aware of the rally ban. Posted by: Steve White 2007-06-02 |
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