Police detained some 150 opposition activists in raids in the southern port city of Karachi in an attempt to stop a banned rally authorities say could lead to violence, police said on Sunday. Authorities have banned two key Islamic political leaders from entering Karachi to stop them from leading the rally scheduled for Sunday by a six-party religious coalition. The opposition says the gathering was called to promote peace in the violence-hit port city. Karachi police chief Tariq Jamil said 150 supporters of the coalition were detained in raids on their homes Saturday night in various parts of Karachi. It was not clear what charges they might face.
"Achmed! Charge them!"
"What will the charges be, effendi?"
"Severe charges, Achmed. You know the rest!" |
A senior leader of the alliance in Karachi, Meraj-ul Huda, claimed about 500 supporters had been picked up. âThis is a violation of the constitution. They are arresting our people,â said Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, a lawmaker from the religious alliance. The opposition has accused the government of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf of strong-arm tactics, and says he is still running the country as a dictator, despite acts of overt democratic reform since he took power in a 1999 coup.
| Outstanding command of the obvious. |
Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the head of Pakistanâs largest religious terrorist group, and Maulana Fazal-ur Rahman, another religious party hack chief who is now the leader of the terrorist front opposition in parliament, were both banned in recent weeks from traveling to Karachi. Rahman flew to Karachi from Islamabad on Saturday, but was ordered to immediately get on a return flight. Ahmed was scheduled to arrive Sunday in the city for the rally. Jamil said he will be sent back. âWe will not allow anyone to violate the law,â he said.
| "Git yer bony asses outta my town!" |
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