You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
India-Pakistan
Pakistan bans rallies of more than 5 people
2007-06-02
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, Islamabad’s deputy chief of administration.

However, Ali said there were no immediate plans to keep ousted Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed ChaudhryÂ’s 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 ChaudhryÂ’s 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

#7  Good point, John: one does get the idea that all this is headed somewhere, and soon. My question is: is Perv behind it all, or is Perv just trying to ride the tiger?
Posted by: Steve White   2007-06-02 10:43  

#6  Notice that the AK-47 armed Lal Masjid folks, who have created a sharia court and threatened suicide bombings have not been threatened at all.
It is the unarmed supporters of the Chief Justice who have faced the wrath of the Pak military. The head of the PML says that the people who insulted the army should be shot, rather than just banned from the airwaves. Meanwhile the FM radio broadcasts from the mullahs in Lal Masjid continue.


This shows exactly who they consider a threat. The islamists are not a threat to the Pak military and have never been.
Posted by: John Frum   2007-06-02 08:00  

#5  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.

In other words, the shit is about to hit the fan in Pakiland.
Posted by: Grumenk Philalzabod0723   2007-06-02 02:36  

#4  It ain't the rallies, it's the madrassas, stupid.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-06-02 00:24  

#3  Shaukat Aziz was asked his opinion of published reports that US Special Forces had devised plans to seize Pakistan's nuclear weapons in the event of an Islamist takeover.

This former CitiBank executive smiled. "We also have plans to keep you from doing just that"

The error many western governments make is assuming that the monied, western educated, whiskey drinking Pak elite that seems so friendly shares common interests.
Posted by: John Frum   2007-06-02 16:32  

#2  It is the small middle class who are getting squeezed and they have never mattered to the feudal elite.

This seems to be the working equation in more places than just Pakistan. America's immigration bill leaps to mind.

As Trifkovic notes, Musharraf is a consumate master of "running with the hare and hunting with the hounds". America's willingness to turn a blind eye towards Pakistan has been a major misstep in fighting terrorism. While Saudi Arabia funds the vast majority of it, Pakistan is the indoctrination and training center.

Pakistan's attacks on the Indian Parliament were reason enough to dismantle their nation in the style of Afghanistan. America's lack of response to this was worse than shameful. Musharraf's hand-off policy with the NWFP taliban and pro-terrorists of Lal Masjid expose Pakistan for the pathetic charade it is.

While Iran tops our Christmas list in terms of immediate action, neutralization of Pakistan and its nuclear arsenal remains a major priority. We must "de-nuclearize" all Muslim majority countries and keep them that way until Islam is reformed or crushed utterly.
Posted by: Zenster   2007-06-02 14:44  

#1  Good question.

Many Pakistanis think the Army is backing the Lal Masjid to divert attention away from the civil opposition and to maintain the American aid.

The very first Pak PM Liqiat Khan had the same "Apres Moi, Le Deluge" strategy.

In any event, sharia and Talibanization are no threat to the Punjabi elite. Where they live inside the British built cantonments, the lawns are beautiful, there are lots of servants, the clubs are well stocked with whiskey. No sharia will ever apply here. 500,000 Pak troops will ensure that.

It is the small middle class who are getting squeezed and they have never mattered to the feudal elite.

Of interest is the claim that the MQM violence in support of Perv is because of his mohajir background. Musharraf was born in Delhi and there may be Punjabi elements who would like to see one of their own in charge. Perv may have outlived his usefulness and it may be time for another General, or more likely a civilian figurehead, backed by the military.
Posted by: John Frum   2007-06-02 11:22  

00:00