ANAA VOICE

Nurse Rape at JPMC

2010-07-22T02:31:00.000-07:00

22nd July: ANAA is outraged at the rape of young nursing student at JPMC official mess allegedly by Medical legal officer.

ANAA hopes that thorough investigation will be done.

Details of the case, click here

http://www.dawn.com.pk/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/16-jpmc-doctor-booked-for-trainee-nurses-rape-670-hs-02

ANAA Welcomes Pakistan Supreme Court's Decision

2010-01-05T23:08:00.000-08:00

ANAA, Washington Metro Area tele conference was held on December 17, 2009 at 0730PM.
Participants: Athar Javaid, Dr. Anwar Masood, Dr. Talha Siddiqui, Zulekha Yusuf and Shah Abbas

Following resolution is passed on behalf of ANAA, Washington DC Chapter.

ANAA welcomes Pakistani Supreme Court unanimous decision to throw out an amnesty, know as National Reconciliation Ordinance which had been brokered by former president General Musharaf and foreign powers that protected as many as 8,000 political figures from prosecution on widespread corruption charges. The amnesty introduced in October 2007 allowed former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to return from exile and released thousands of politicians and bureaucrats from charges of graft and other offenses.

ANAA views this development as a major step towards eradication of corruption and beginning of an era leading to restoration of strength integrity to institution of Governance.

Gojra: A Collective Shame for all of us

2009-08-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month fanatics attacked and burnt alive peaceful citizens of Gojra, a christian town in Punjab in Toba tek Sing district. This is not an isolated incidence but another depressing chapter in persecution of minorities in Pakistan. Complete BBC Report

Daily Times, Pakistan leading newspaper, reported on earlier organised attack on christian community in Pakistan, "In 1997, the twin villages of Shantinagar-Tibba Colony 12 kilometres east of Khanewal, Multan Division, were looted and burnt by 20,000 Muslim citizens and 500 policemen acting together after an incident of alleged desecration of the Quran was reported. The police first evacuated the Christian population of 15,000, then helped the raiders use battle-field explosives to blow up their houses and property. Sipah Sahaba was also blamed by the Christians for that holocaust.

In 2005, the Christian community of Sangla Hill in Nankana district in Punjab experienced a most hair-raising day of violence and vandalism. After allegations of desecration of the Quran, a mob of 3,000 led by the local elected politician and police burnt down three churches, a missionary-run school, two hostels and several houses belonging to the Christian community. Lahore’s archbishop stated that the attackers had been brought there by buses from outside."

(Daily Times Editorial)

We should ask ourselves that how the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are able to incite people in the name of religion.

ANAA has condemned all laws enacted with an intent of legislating one person or community beliefs over another person or community. We would want to emphasize two recommendations at this point:

1. All Sharia laws including Blashphemy, Hudood and other should be repealed as these laws give an excuse to fanatics to intimidate and harass the women, minorities and other segments of the society

2. Our educations system needs a comprehensive reform as it has been systematically radicalised by Muslim fanatics. Education that should impart critical thinking to a learning mind has become a tool of indoctrination by extremists. We should strive to create a rational, curious mind rather than teaching intolerance against other people.

Christian Fair: Extremism and Pakistan Education system

Gojra and Education

Program in DC Area: Baluchistan - Live Burial of Innocent Women

2008-11-30T08:56:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2008
TYSONS CORNER PIMMIT LIBRARY
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Despite astounding leaps that our civilization has witnessed over recent decades human rights violation remains a matter of grave concern throughout the world. From Africa to Middle East and Asia to Europe and Americas human rights violation is rampant.

Case in point: Baluchistan: Live Burial of Innocent Women

ANAA condemns in the strongest possible terms the live burial of five innocent women in Baluchistan.

FACT: Balochistan Senator, Sardar Israrullah Zehri, defended the recent incident of burying alive in his province, saying “these are centuries-old traditions, and I will continue to defend them.”

FACT: Acting chairman of Pakistan's senate tried to minimize the brutality of the crime by stating, again on the floor, that only five women had died, the sky had not fallen.

FACT: Now Israrullah Zehri has been promoted to the national cabinet by Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zardari as Federal Minister of Postal Services.

FACT: Tribal chief, Fateh Ali Umrani accused the media and human rights bodies of using the ‘honor killing’ incident to defame the Baloch. Mr. Umrani headed the jirga that ordered the killing of innocent women.

The prevalent local politics and closely guarded cultural inhibitions in Baluchistan and adjoining Tribal areas and complications arising from ongoing war on terror, the effort needs to go much beyond the conventional voicing of concern through human rights organizations. We are deeply concerned and eager to put together an action plan that would consolidate our voice and let justice prevail in the face of this human right violation of unthinkable p roportions.

Key Note Speaker: Mr. T. Kumar

Amnesty International USA Advocacy Director for Asia & Pacific

Program: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Registration & Networking

2:30 PM – 2:50 PM SWARA Tradition – Documentary

3:00 PM – 3:05 PM Opening Remarks

3:05 PM – 3:10 PM Welcome

3:20PM -3:25 PM Introduction – Key Note Speaker

3:25PM – 3:50 PM Key Note Speech – Mr. T. Kumar

3:50 PM – 4:00 PM Questions & Answers

4:00 PM -4:30 PM Interactive Discussion – Audience

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM Resolution, Vote & Signatures

Shah F. Abbas Athar Javaid Anwar Masood Zulekha Yusuf

703 628 3346 571 332 8786 240 252 0488 571 292 6494

Case Details - Click here

ANAA's letter to NY Time on their article on Education in Pakistan and Mr. Bijrani Case

2008-11-25T05:30:00.000-08:00

24th Nov, 2008

To,

The NY Times Editor,

Dear Editor,

Nicolas Kristoff has been a true friend for people of Pakistan. He has fearlessly written for the survivors specially Mukhtaran Mai, Shazia Khalid and Aisha Parveen. Your paper is creating a needed space for civil society by exposing the utter incompetence and criminal behaviour of people in power.

I am the president of ANAA, US based advocacy group for people of Pakistan. In the past our efforts to highlight honour crimes and other human right abuses in Pakistan have been supported by timely published op-ed pieces in your paper.

We fully support Mr. Kristoff's recommendation to US policy maker in his recent article, The Pakistan Test published on November 22rd, 2008. It would have been timely that he had recommended the restoration of Pakistan Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who had ordered the arrest of Mr Bijarani while presiding the Supreme Court. Justice Iftikhar is currently on a US trip to receive the Medal of Freedom from Harvard University.

Pakistan's civil society is grateful for your paper's contribution for rule of law and respect of human rights in Pakistan.

Regards,

Zaffar Iqbal, MD

ANAA President

Mr. Bijrani Case Details.

Nicolas Kristoff Blog

Nicolas Kristoff Reporting on:

Mukhtaran Mai Case:

Raped, kidnapped and silenced. NY Times, 14 June 2005

11 Years Old Wife Nicolas Kristoff. - NY Times 21 June 2005
A Free Women Nicolas Kristoff. - NY Times 19 June 2005
Detailed Archive on Mukhtaran Case prepared by ANAA

Dr. Shazia Khalid Case:
Another Face of Terror. NY Times, 31st July 2005
A Pakistani Rape and a Pakistani Love Story. NY Times, 2nd Aug 2005
Detailed Archive on Shazia Khalid Case prepared by ANAA

ANAA letter to Pakistan President protesting appoitment of a "Swara" facilitator as an Education Minister

2008-11-11T23:10:00.000-08:00

11th Nov, 2008

To,

The President of Pakistan
3517 International Court, NW
Washington DC, 20008
Phone: 202-243-6500

Dear President Asif Ali Zardari,

ANAA is outraged at the appointment of Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani as federal education minister. As you are aware that Mr. Bijrani was arrested for chairing the jirga that decided to hand over five minor girls to settle a dispute in 2006.

This is how the story goes.

15th August 2007, Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry, ordered the arrest of 11 members of a jirga, including PPP MNA Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, for handing over five minor girls to the family of a murdered man as compensation to settle the dispute in Jacobabad.

Complaint was filed by a freelance anthropologist Samar Minallah against the handing over of five girls — Aamna, 5, Bashiran, 2, (daughters of Rahmatullah), Shehzadi, 6, Meerzadi, 2, (daughters of Hafeezullah) and Noor Bano, 3, (daughter of Yar Ali) — to the family of the murdered man as compensation.

The feud began in 1997 when one Miandad Banglani was killed in a shootout between Hafiz Qamaruddin and Ali Yar Banglani groups over karo-kari (honour killing). Police registered the case after nine years that too after the media highlighted the injustice.

The event of the jirga was recorded by a regional television and was shown during the hearing. The video footage contained statements of Yar Ali and Rehmatullah, fathers of three of the girls, endorsing the allegations that the girls had been given in to the victim's family as compensation and the decision of marriage had been taken up by the jirga. (Report by Daily Time, Dawn)

As ANAA President I urge you to rescind this appointment.

Regards

Zaffar Iqbal, MD
President ANAA

ANAA is US based, registered non-profit advocacy group focused on restoration of human rights in Pakistan. It is a totally volunteer run grass root organization. It is the pioneer group amongst the diaspora engaged in increasing awareness for civil struggle in Pakistan. ANAA believes in participatory politics as a basic human right in Pakistan. ANAA supports independent judiciary and freedom of media in Pakistan

Understanding "Swara" - Giving Minor Girls as Compensation

2008-11-11T22:35:00.000-08:00

Samar Minallah made an excellent documentary on "Swara", a custom of settling disputes by giving away female children to the grieved party. The issue became more important as earlier this month, PPP appointed as their educational minister, Mr Bagrani, who was convicted by Supreme court (in Aug 2007) for chairing a jirga that ordered giving away minor girls for settling a murder case. (Details here)

PPP Appoints an alleged "Swara" Facilitator as an Education Minister

2008-11-11T21:02:00.000-08:00

ANAA is outraged at the appointment of Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani as federal education minister. Mr. Bijrani was arrested for chairing the jirga that decided to hand over five minor girls to settle a dispute in 2006.

This is how the story goes.

15th August 2007, Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry, ordered the arrest of 11 members of a jirga, including PPP MNA Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, for handing over five minor girls to the family of a murdered man as compensation to settle the dispute in Jacobabad.

Complaint was filed by a freelance anthropologist Samar Minallah against the handing over of five girls — Aamna, 5, Bashiran, 2, (daughters of Rahmatullah), Shehzadi, 6, Meerzadi, 2, (daughters of Hafeezullah) and Noor Bano, 3, (daughter of Yar Ali) — to the family of the murdered man as compensation.

The feud began in 1997 when one Miandad Banglani was killed in a shootout between Hafiz Qamaruddin and Ali Yar Banglani groups over karo-kari (honour killing). Police registered the case after nine years that too after the media highlighted the injustice.

The event of the jirga was recorded by a regional television and was shown during the hearing. The video footage contained statements of Yar Ali and Rehmatullah, fathers of three of the girls, endorsing the allegations that the girls had been given in to the victim’s family as compensation and the decision of marriage had been taken up by the jirga. (Report by Daily Time, Dawn)

ACTION ALERT:

Please send an email to Pakistani Ambassador, Honourable Mr. Hussain Haqqani - ambassador@embassyofpakistanusa.org addressed to President of Pakistan, Mr Asif Ali Zardari showing your outrage at Mr. Bijarani's appointment and asking to rescind it.

ANAA's letter to Pakistani President protesting the appoinment.

Understanding "Swara" - giving Minor Girls as compensation - 6 minute documentary

Baluchistan: Live Burial of Innocent Women

2008-09-07T01:45:00.000-07:00

ANAA condemn in the strongest possible terms the live burial of five innocent women in Baluchistan. What is infinitely worse is that a senator, no less, defended the heinous crime on the floor of the house.

Compounding the callous stupidity, the acting chairman of Pakistan's senate tried to minimize the brutality of the crime by stating, again on the floor, that only five women had died, the sky had not fallen.

We have made note of the statement of the leader of the team which performed post-mortem on two of the women that they were killed with blunt instruments before burial. That in no way mitigates the gravity of the dastardly crime.

We demand that

1. HR organization is Pakistan be, officially and formally, made part of the investigation.

2. The defenders of the cold blooded murders in the senate be reprimanded and proceedings started to suspend their membership of the house.

3. Hudood ordnance be repealed and "honor Killing" be made a crime against the state and not against a family to allow perpetrators to escape the full penalty of law, by coercing relatives to accept blood money.

4 An impartial and fair inquiry be instituted, the alleged perpetrator be tried and given punishment to the full extent of the law..

Read Reports
NBC: Honour killings persist in "man's world"

Pakistani Lawyers at the helm of Change

2008-09-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Pakistani Lawyer At Helm of Change
Goal Is Restoration of Ousted Judges

By Nora Boustany
Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, July 11, 2008; Page A10

During a visit to Washington last month, Ahsan warned American legislators that instability and uncertainty in Pakistan could not be remedied until judges removed from their jobs when President Pervez Musharraf imposed military rule last November were reinstated. Chaudhry himself had been returned to the bench last July following the massive spring protests.

Ahsan was in Washington to address the annual meeting of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America. The combative lawyer also spoke to an overflow crowd at an event organized by Amnesty International.

"He is our big hope in our drive to support the rule of law," said Zaffar Iqbal, a physician with the Asian American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights. "Secular people want a fair system."

Full Article

Dr. Aafia Siddiqi Case

2008-08-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

August 2008: We have gone over and carefully considered all the available reports on the disappearance in 2003, and the sudden reappearance in July 2008, of Dr Aafia Sidddiqi.

In 2003, Dr Aafia Siddiqi was apparently abducted in Pakistan by Pakistani intelligence. She then was found in US custody in Afghanistan in 2008. She 'disappeared' and surfaced only lately after the news was leaked and the international press picked it up. It would seem that her interrogation in an Afghan police station was stage managed. A loaded gun was placed near her. It was claimed that she picked it up and tried to kill Americans soldiers who were there to question her. Her shots went wild, but she was hit.

She was brought while still badly hurt to NY to face charges of attempted murder of American soldiers.

We uphold supremacy of law, an independent judiciary and condemn in unequivocal terms all transgressions of law, abduction, illegal incarceration, and transfer of prisoners from one territory to another with out due process.

We demand a thorough investigation by independent U.N.O mandated agencies into the whole affair and that all the agents of injustice and law breakers be brought to the International court of Justice at the Hague. Read Story

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui Case

2008-08-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Aug, 2008: Aafia Siddiqi disappearance in 2003 and then re-appearance in the custody of US is a blatant violation of human rights.

ANAA joins the community in asking for justice for Ms Siddiqui. We would like to see the case investigated by UN sanctioned body and then tried in International court that will have the confidence of all parties involved.

BBC reports, Aafia Siddiqui is the youngest of three children of a British-trained doctor.

Her brother is an architect based in Houston, while Fauzia is a neurologist who used to work at Mount Sinai hospital in New York.

Aafia Siddiqui went to school in Karachi and graduated with a biology degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US.

In 2004 then-FBI director Robert Mueller announced at a press conference that Aafia Siddiqui was wanted for questioning.

She was later named as part of an alleged al-Qaeda diamond smuggling operation in Liberia.

Publications such as Newsweek quoted the FBI as saying this was to finance al-Qaeda's biological and chemical weapons programme.

Read full story
ANAA's Press Release

ANAA Urges concerned citizens to condemns the expulsion of Ahmedi Medical Students in Pakistan

2008-06-10T23:22:00.000-07:00

Dear ANAA Members,

Last week 23 Medical students belonging to Ahmedi faith were expelled from Medical college in Pakistan.

Please help disseminate the information by forwarding this email to relevant people/groups.

ANAA urge all to write a letter to:

1. Ambassador of Pakistan in USA, His Excellency Mr. Husain Haqqani ambassador@embassyofpakistanusa.org

urging him to contact the relevant authorities in Pakistan and appraise us on the status of the students and ensure that proper investigation is carried out.

Regards

Zaffar Iqbal, MD
ANAA President

ANAA's letter to the Ambassador:

10th June 2008

To,

The Ambassador of Pakistan to the USA
3517 International Court, NW
Washington DC, 20008
Phone: 202-243-6500

His Excellency Mr. Husain Haqqani,

It has come to ANAA's attention that 23 students belonging to Ahmedi faith have been expelled from Punjab Medical College. Few days before expulsions it was alleged that they were preaching their faith.

BBC reported that Islami Jamiat-e-tulba students surrounded the Principal's offices and raised slogans against the Ahmedi students. List of 23 Ahmedi students, expelled from the college, was then released by the college administration. The same day, a mob of about 300 college students also barged into Ahmedis students' rooms, beat them and threw their luggage out of their rooms.

Ahmedis, like other minorities, have been persecuted in Pakistan using discriminatory laws. They have faced hostile environments in Pakistan where they have been mascaraed at their religious places (click here for firing on Ahmedi Mosque).

ANAA takes a strong stand supporting Ahmedi students and demands that:

1. Students should be immediately re-instated.

2. Incident should be properly investigated and perpetrators identified and punished so that all minorities feel safe in the university.

ANAA hopes that your excellency will contact the relevant authorities in Pakistan and appraise our organization on status of the students and ensure that proper investigation is carried out.

We look forward to hearing from you about this tragic incident.

Regards

Zaffar Iqbal, MD
President ANAA

For Details click here

ANAA is US based, registered non-profit advocacy group focused on restoration of human rights in Pakistan. It is a totally volunteer run grass root organization. It is the pioneer group amongst the diaspora engaged in increasing awareness for civil struggle in Pakistan. ANAA believes in participatory politics as a basic human right in Pakistan. ANAA supports independent judiciary and freedom of media in Pakistan

ANAA Condemns the Expulsion of Ahmedi Medical Students in Pakistan

2008-06-10T22:34:00.001-07:00

June 5, 2008: Punjab Medical College expelled 23 students belonging to Ahmedi faith. Few days before expulsions it was alleged that they were preaching their faith.

BBC reported that Islami Jamiat-e-tulba students surrounded the Principal's offices and raised slogans against the Ahmedi students. List of 23 Ahmedi students, rusticated from the college, was then released by the college administration. The same day, a mob of about 300 college students also barged into Ahmedis students’ rooms, beat them and threw their luggage out of their rooms.

Ahmedis, like other minorities, have been persecuted in Pakistan using discriminatory laws. They have faced hostile environments in Pakistan where they have been mascaraed at their religious places (click here for firing on Ahmedi Mosque).

ANAA takes a strong stand supporting Ahmedi students and demands that:

1. Students should be immediately re-instated.

2. Incident should be properly investigated and perpetrators identified and punished so that all minorities feel safe in the university.

For Details click here

Punjab Medical College Expels 23 Ahmedi Students

2008-06-10T21:38:00.000-07:00

June 5, 2008: Punjab Medical College expelled 23 students belonging to Ahmedi faith. Few days before expulsions it was alleged that they were preaching their faith.

BBC reported that Islami Jamiat-e-tulba students surrounded the principal's offices and raised slogans against the Ahmedi students. List of 23 Ahmedi students, rusticated from the college, was then released by the college administration. The same day, a mob of about 300 college students also barged into Ahmedis students’ rooms, beat them and threw their luggage out of their rooms.

Ahmedis, like other minorities, have been persecuted in Pakistan using discriminatory laws. They have faced hostile environments in Pakistan where they have been mascaraed at their religious places (click here for firing on Ahmedi Mosque).

ANAA takes a strong stand supporting Ahmedi students and demands that:

1. Students should be immediately re-instated.

2. Incident should be properly investigated and perpetrators identified and punished so that all minorities feel safe in the university.

Brief History of Ahmedi community click here

List of Ahmedis persecuted in Pakistan click here

Amnesty on Religious Freedom in Pakistan click here

2006: US state Department on Religious Freedom in Pakistan click here

News Reports:

BBC Coverage of the incident in Urdu click here
8th June: Further details of the incident leading to Ahmedi students expulsion: Daily Times
6th June 2008: DAWN, Daily Times

Pakistan: Another Innocent will be Hanged on 12th March 2008

2008-03-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

ANAA condemns the death sentence of Mr. Zahid Masih as it is alleged that proper investigation of the case was not done and he was not given proper legal representation.

AHRC has done a great service by bringing this issue to the public.

Please send the appeal to appropriate people as suggested by AHRC.

ANAA

Death by hanging of a man set on March 12 after confessing due to torture by military

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the death sentence of a man from minority community, who is due to be executed on 12 March 2008. He was charged with murder however, he was allegedly severely tortured after the illegal arrest. It is also alleged that he was not provided any legal representative during the military trial. He was not allowed to communicate with his parent during his two years of military custody and meet his parents only after the military court convicted him.

CASE DETAILS:
According to the information received, Mr. Zahid Masih son of Salamat Masih was recruited in the Pakistan Army as a sanitary worker and sweeper in August 2001 at the cantonment of Multan city, Punjab province. After some months he was transferred to another cantonment at Tarbella- Punjab province, 600 kilometers far from Multan, his hometown. He served in Tarbella cantonment for almost two years and in 2003 he was again transferred to another place, the Chirat, a cantonment at Peshawar in province of North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) as a sweeper because of his good work and loyalty to officers.

He joined Regiment/Unit 4 Commando Battalion (Special Service Group) Chirat. When he reached and joined service at Chirat cantonment he heard that a 9-year-old boy was sexually molested and murdered by unknown persons among the staff of the cantonment and there was a military investigation going on. After one weak of joining service he was given two months leave to go home for recreation as it is a common feature that, whenever there is a transfer the staff is allowed to have leave. Zahid Masih went to Multan to meet his parents and other family members and after two months he returned to Chirat to resume his duties. Till that time the investigation of murder was going on. Suddenly, one month after his return Zahid Masih was disappeared from the work place and his whereabouts were not known to the family for about two years.

Zahid's family later found him in Central jail at Peshawar charged with murder under Section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). He was accused of committing sodomy and killing the nine-year-old boy, Muhammad Adnan on 1 March 2005. The Military Court found Zahid guilty and sentenced him death on 10 March 2006.

While in the military custody for 2 years, he was extensively interrogated for 28 days consecutively and he was severely tortured to confess to the murder of the boy. Due to the severity of the torture he had no choice but to confess even though he alleged that he was innocent. Some Orderlies of officers came and persuaded him that if he confessed the officers would provide him with relief. Mr. Mohammad Khusheed son of Mohammad Nawaz, the orderly of an army officer, conveyed this message to him with saying that his confession would save the image of Pakistan Army. Zahid Masih informed these facts to his brother in a letter. However, Zahid was not allowed to meet with his family during his trial in the cantonment by a military court and the family did also not know about that.

When Zahid Masih was allowed to meet his family in early 2008, he told his family that he was made an escape goat as he was Christian and a sweeper. He further said that the messengers from officers of Chirat cantonments convinced him that he would be free from the charges if he confessed the crime. He alleged that military persons at cantonment killed the boy and they wanted to shift the offence to weakest person.

On 20 January 2008, Zahid's mother wrote a mercy appeal to the President and human rights groups and the Church leadership wrote letters to the authorities, including the President. Due to this intervention, the execution date was delayed for 20 days however, it is again scheduled on 12 March 2008.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Pakistan is among the top in the list of countries with the highest number of executions (along with China, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and USA). It has approximately 7,400 convicts awaiting execution. According to the Amnesty International 2007 report, 82 persons were executed in 2006. A local source claimed that 109 people have been awarded death sentence in the first 9 months of 2007 and about 10,000 were executed in Pakistan in the past 11 years.

According to the PPC 302, which Zahid Masih is charged under: whoever commits pre-meditated murder shall be punished with (a) death as "retaliation"; (b) death or imprisonment for life as corporal punishment to be administered at the discretion of the judge; and (c) imprisonment of up to 25 years, provided it is not committed in the name or the pretext of honour.

According to the PPC section 304, the proof of murder could be in form of voluntary and true confession before a competent court that the accused committed the offence; and by evidence as provided in Article 17 of the Qanun-e-Shahadat, 1984 (P.O. No. 10 of 1984), based on the competence of a person to testify and the number of witnesses required accordingly.
Local sources claim that the penal system in Pakistan is full of loopholes and defects. It may be better sometimes not to hang the alleged killers due to mal-administration of justice, police service dereliction, and cultural prejudices affecting women and religious minorities.
It has also been commented that the laws have become "tools for personal vendettas against vulnerable segments of society, including the poor and minorities" and are often "manipulated, especially in blasphemy cases, where both judicial system and police department investigate with bias, without checking veracity of the facts."

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write the letter and fax to the following authorities showing your concern of what appears to be an unfair trial and a confession obtained by torture. Please also demand clemency as he is innocent of this crime and at the time of murder of young boy he was doing job in anther cantonment of Tarbela. After his transfer to Chirat he was booked in the case only because he was from a minority community and a weak target as being the sweeper, the most lowest job.

The AHRC writes letters to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture and working group on arbitrary detention calling for urgent intervention in this case.

ANAA raises fund for release of Dr. Safdar Sarki

2008-03-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

ANAA will be raising fund for release of Safdar Sarki's.

Case of Safdar Sarki (Website) is well known in US community. He was allegedly picked up by intelligence agencies from Karachi in Feb 2006. His children have suffered enough and now is the time to release him without any further delay. Cowasjee on Sarki (March 2006)(July 2006).

Amnesty writes that The Constitution of Pakistan states that "No person shall be deprived of life and liberty save in accordance with law" (Article 9). Under Article 10, every detainee must be brought before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. The detention of Dr Sarki, if carried out by the security forces, is a clear violation of these requirements.(Full report)

Report from Asian Human Right Commission (Click here)

ANAA decided to help Safdar Sarki as this is a blatant human right violation by government of Pakistan. Safdar is one of the many that are missing in Pakistan. Nation's editorial rightly reminded that in functional democracy this should have never happened and secondly, in the current circumstances when the SC is convinced that intelligence agencies were detaining them and issued injunctions for their release, they ought not to demur. (Full Editorial)

This is great human right tragedy as Rukhsana, Safdar's wife, wrote to ANAA, "Currently, I am living in Yuba City in California with my two teenagesons and we are going through very rough time emotionally and financially. However, despite all the adversaries, it had become necessary to hire an American Lawyer."

Please donate generously as 100% of money collected will go directly for the legal fees of the American lawyer. Please consider donating even a small token of $5-10 shows our love for rule of law and commitment to voiceless.

Please make checks payable to ANAA and write "Safdar Sarki legal fund" in memo. Send checks to:

ANAA
P.O. Box 4324

Kingman, AZ 86402

For Online donation (Click here ) and please send an email to 4anaapk@gmail.com to advice that your donation is for "Sardar Sarki legal fund."

ANAA is a 501c(3) and all donations are tax deductible.

References on Dr. Sarki: NPR, NY Times

NY Times Editorial: Chance for Pakistan - and the US

2008-02-19T22:28:00.000-08:00

Twilight of the Dictators: A Chance for Pakistan — and the U.S.
Published: February 20, 2008

The White House has long insisted that there was no choice but to look the other way as Mr. Musharraf jailed journalists and lawyers, dismissed the Supreme Court and declared emergency rule. Islamist extremists, we were told, would win any fair democratic fight.

Instead, even with a rigged system, the moderates managed to win. Now the question is whether the Bush administration can take this opportunity and develop a sensible policy that focuses both on building stable democratic institutions in Pakistan and winning popular support for combating Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

President Bush must quickly reach out to Pakistan’s newly elected parliamentary leaders, many of whom resent the United States for its uncritical support of the former general. Mr. Bush could calm some of their anger by publicly warning to Mr. Musharraf that the United States will not tolerate any further political meddling. Read more

ANAA Thanks Members of Congress for Standing with People of Pakistan

2008-02-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Please call these members of Congress DC office and :

1. Thank them for the co-signing the letter , asking for International monitors and removing all restrictions from media in Pakistan.
2. Ask to be connected to legislative director so you can further interact by getting his/her email to forward relevant articles and requests.
3. Ask the office that you would like to arrange a meeting , with member of Congress, of their constituent at the local office.

If you make this call then please send ANAA an email: 4anaapk@gmail.com so we can connect you with other ANAA members in the district.

Steve Israel (D-NY)

Gary Ackerman (D-NY)

Shelly Berkley (D-NV)

Legislative Director: Brian George
202-225-5965

Joe Courtney (D-CT)

Joseph Crowley (D-NY)

Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)

Michael Honda (D-CA)

Patrick Kennedy (D-MA)

Steve Rothman (D-NJ)

Tim Ryan (D-OH)

Anthony Weiner (D-NY).

Congressman Israel asks for International Monitors and Removing restriction from media

2008-02-13T06:02:00.000-08:00

12 Feb 2008

House Members Call for Independent Monitoring of Upcoming Pakistani Election Members Express Concern with Musharraf Government Manipulating Elections and Call for International Monitoring and Removal of Restrictions on Media

Washington, DC— Today, Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY) led twelve of his colleagues in Congress in sending a letter to Secretary Rice regarding the upcoming elections in Pakistan. The letter calls on Secretary Rice to encourage Pakistani President Musharraf to allow international monitoring of the February 18 elections in Pakistan and to remove restrictions on the media.

“Without a credible electoral process, instability in Pakistan will continue, and likely worsen, to the detriment of the people of Pakistan and U.S. national interests,” said Congressman Israel, a Member of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. “We need to do everything we can to ensure the elections are fair, that media can work without restriction and that the elections are not further postponed.”

The letter, sent today, was signed by the following House Members: Steve Israel (D-NY), Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Shelly Berkley (D-NV), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Michael Honda (D-CA), Patrick Kennedy (D-MA) Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Anthony Weiner (D-NY). Read letter here

Washington Post Editorial asks for Fair election.

2008-02-12T06:38:00.000-08:00

A Crisis Foretold
Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf impedes fair elections and action against al-Qaeda. So why is he 'indispensable'?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008

IN THE past few days, warnings about two critical threats from Pakistan have been sounded repeatedly in Washington. First, al-Qaeda is rapidly growing stronger in the de facto sanctuary it enjoys in Pakistan's northwestern tribal areas, and is close to acquiring the capability to launch new attacks on the United States. Second, reputable polls show that Pakistanis will vote overwhelmingly against President Pervez Musharraf in parliamentary elections Monday -- but the government plans to rig the balloting to prevent that outcome, at the risk of triggering massive protests and violence.

Yet the Bush administration continues to publicly insist that Mr. Musharraf is "indispensable" to Pakistan -- a stubborn and illogical position that is serving only to heighten the twin dangers.

Similarly, appeals by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for Mr. Musharraf to permit fair elections have been ineffective. The former general has neither released the judges he imprisoned last fall nor removed controls that prevent media from fully reporting on the elections.

Perhaps Mr. Musharraf will reverse himself, limit manipulation of the balloting and accept defeat. Yet by its own account, the Bush administration is unprepared to cope with the imminent danger of destabilization in a country that holds nuclear weapons as well as terrorist training camps. That will remain the case as long as it insists on allegiance to Mr. Musharraf as the starting point of its policy. Read more

Tahira Abdullah: Another Activist arrested

2008-02-11T09:22:00.000-08:00

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: “Don’t trample the flag.” “Save me.” “Don’t let them take me away.” These were the words of human rights activist, Tahira Abdullah, as she was being arrested on Saturday evening near Judges Enclave.

Tahira Abdullah was carrying the national flag which fell on the ground as a burly policeman held her right arm while other lady constables held her by the left.

Till the last moment, Ms Abdullah desperately tried to hold on to the flag. Read more

NY Times: Selig Harrison: How to Stabilize Pakistan?

2008-02-01T22:15:00.000-08:00

Op-Ed Contributor
Drawn and Quartered
Published: February 1, 2008

Selig S. Harrison is the director of the Asia program at the Center for International Policy and the author of “In Afghanistan’s Shadow,” a study of Baluch nationalism.

WHATEVER the outcome of the Pakistani elections, now scheduled for Feb. 18, the existing multiethnic Pakistani state is not likely to survive for long unless it is radically restructured.

Given enough American pressure, a loosely united, confederated Pakistan could still be preserved by reinstating and liberalizing the defunct 1973 Constitution, which has been shelved by successive military rulers. But as matters stand, the Punjabi-dominated regime of Pervez Musharraf is headed for a bloody confrontation with the country’s Pashtun, Baluch and Sindhi minorities that could well lead to the breakup of Pakistan into three sovereign entities.

In that event, the Pashtuns, concentrated in the northwestern tribal areas, would join with their ethnic brethren across the Afghan border (some 40 million of them combined) to form an independent “Pashtunistan.” The Sindhis in the southeast, numbering 23 million, would unite with the six million Baluch tribesmen in the southwest to establish a federation along the Arabian Sea from India to Iran. “Pakistan” would then be a nuclear-armed Punjabi rump state.

For those of Pashtun, Sindhi and Baluch ethnicity, independence from colonial rule created a bitter paradox. After resisting Punjabi domination for centuries, they found themselves subjected to Punjabi-dominated military regimes that have appropriated many of the natural resources in the minority provinces — particularly the natural gas deposits in the Baluch areas — and siphoned off much of the Indus River’s waters as they flow through the Punjab.

The Pashtuns living along the Afghan border are happy to give sanctuary from Punjabi forces to the Taliban, which is composed primarily of fellow Pashtuns, and to its Qaeda friends.

The breakup of Pakistan would be a costly and destabilizing development that can still be avoided, but only if the United States and other foreign donors use their enormous aid leverage to convince Islamabad that it should not only put the 1973 Constitution back into effect, but amend it to go beyond the limited degree of autonomy it envisaged. Eventually, the minorities want a central government that would retain control only over defense, foreign affairs, international trade, communications and currency. Read more

NY Times Editorial: Military to Civilian Rule

2008-02-01T21:58:00.000-08:00

Pakistani P.R.
Published: February 1, 2008

Successfully moving Pakistan from military rule to civilian-run democracy is essential to combating extremism.

His government has also unfairly limited election observers. Hopes that the balloting could be credible were further undermined when the International Republican Institute, the only American group planning to monitor the election, canceled its plans over concerns about possible suicide bombings and other violence.

The army, now under a less-politicized general, must make good on a promise not to interfere in the election.

If Mr. Musharraf’s commitment were more sincere, he might figure out a way to take advantage of recent American offers to expand military and intelligence cooperation. Read full editorial

PRESS RELEASE: 5th Dec 2007: Day on the Hill

2008-01-29T14:21:00.000-08:00

Coalition of Concerned Citizens held a very successful day on the Hill

Large number of bipartisan Members of Congress, and human rights activist voiced their support for the besieged Pakistani judiciary

Washington, DC - December 5th, 2007 - An impressive number of Members of U.S. Congress and a Senator addressed a large gathering of Concerned Citizens to show their support for the restoration of pre-November 3 independent Pakistani Judiciary. In addition to the U.S. lawmakers, the representatives of Amnesty International, and International Crisis Group also spoke to a huge gathering. The large audience of Concerned Citizens included professionals, lawyers, physicians, and businessmen.

In her speech, Senator Claire Mccaskell from Missouri showed strong desire to restore the Pakistani judiciary. Senator Mccaskell showed her desire to make the U.S. Military aid to Pakistan contingent to "the rule of law." She strongly advised the Musharraf Government to restore the judiciary, or face the military sanctions. The Senator warned, "If the judiciary is not restored, Pakistan should face the threat of military sanctions."

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren from the California accused the Musharraf Government of misusing the American Military Aid against his political opponents. She explained, "Pervez Musharraf's government is using America's military aid against political opponents rather than terrorists." She criticized the Musharraf Government for the abusive treatment of attorneys. She called, "The treatment of attorneys, such as Munir Malik, is outrageous."

In his address, Congressman Steven Israel from New York blasted President Musharraf and the U.S. policy of supporting him. The Congressman equated the current Pakistani situation with the Nazi Germany. He said, "The current situation reminds me of Nazi Germany, when then the judges took an oath before Hitler rather than the law." He was quite clear about the principles under which an independent judiciary should work under when he said, "Judges should be bound to the law, not to the desire of one man." He further criticized the American foreign policy of supporting one-man rule of President Musharraf. According to him, "United States has made a mistake by supporting one man. We should support the people."

Dr. Zaffar Iqbal speaking on the occasion said, ""We strongly support the proposal by Senator Biden" "The aid should encourage democracy, not despotic rule." said Dr Iqbal.

Amina Khan, Pakistani-American lawyer talked about images of Pakistani's fighting for the rule of law and free press. She said, " Democratic ideals are indigenous to the people of Pakistan. After all, this was a nation founded upon the ideals of democracy by a lawyer, Mohammed Ali Jinnah. "

Other speakers included, T. Kumar, Advocacy Director of the Amnesty International and Jennifer Leonard, Washington Advocacy Director at International Crisis Group and Shamaya. Gilo representing Pluralism Fund .

Mr. Kumar and Ms. Gilo complimented the Pakistani-American Coalition for their successful program, and predicted that such activism will contribute towards the cause of democracy and human rights in Pakistan.

Following is a list of some of the most distinguished guests who attended the program: Members of Congress who attended, addressed and supported the restoration of Judiciary in Pakistan:

1. Senator Claire Mccaskell (D-MO)
2. Congressman Harry E Mitchell (D-AZ)

3. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

4. Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA)

5. Congressman Steve J Israel (D-NY)

6. Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY)
7. Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ)

8 Congressman Nick Joe Rahall (D-WV)

Representative of the following Congressional Members were present in the program:

Congressman John Tierney (D-MA) Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) Congressman Shiela Jackson Lee (D-TX) Congressman John P Sarbanes (D-MA) Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) Wife of Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) attended the program

Coalition of Concerned Citizens:

Sponsors: Asian American Network against Abuse of Human Rights (ANAA), Association of Pakistani Professional (AOPP), American Muslim Peace Initiative (AMPI), Doctors for Democracy and Justice NY, Association of Pakistani Physicians for Justice and Democracy (APPJD), Pakistani- American Democratic Dialogue (PADD), Pakistani American Congress (PAC), Friends of South Asia (FOSA), Sindhi Association of North America (SANA).

Media Contacts:

Dr. Zaffar Iqbal - (928) 550-0062

Dr. Nasir Gondal - (917) 860-0808

Amina Khan Esq. - (202) 415-4566

Church Demolished by Land Mafia

2008-01-26T19:17:00.000-08:00

26th Jan, 2008, Daily Times Editorial (second editorial): Punjab Governor must save the church!Land-grabbers in Lahore have demolished a church in Garden Town desecrating the Bible and the Cross which is a serious offence under law. And no one has taken notice so far. The priest was evicted on December 11, 2007. Despite protests the police did not even come to the place of offence. Now the Christian MNAs and MPAs have gathered to protest the deadened humanity of the Punjab caretaker administration.

The Church of Christ is an old religious institution dating back to 1963 and belongs to the Christian community. Its vulnerability lies in the nine kanals and 15 marlas on which it is situated. Lahore’s quickly proliferating land mafia plotted to grab it because the Christians are underprivileged in Pakistan and no one comes to their help when they are in trouble. Local government personalities openly named by the Christians have been after the church land and claim that they have bought it for Rs 30 million. Clearly this is a case on which the Punjab Governor, Gen (retd) Khalid Maqbool must move and prevent this “sale” from taking place. *

HRW asks Scotland Yard to quit and International Investigation into Benazir's Assasination

2008-01-26T14:18:00.000-08:00

(New York, January 24, 2008) UK’s Scotland Yard should not be part of a flawed Pakistani investigation into the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch (HRW -Pakistan page) urged Pakistan to seek an independent international investigation of the murder, such as under United Nations auspices.

On January 4, the UK’s New Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command dispatched a team of investigators to Pakistan at Islamabad’s request. The Scotland Yard team has a narrow mandate and will not conduct an independent inquiry. According to the terms of reference made public on January 11, the Scotland Yard team will “support” and “assist” Pakistani authorities in investigating the “precise cause” of Bhutto’s death. The team “will assist and report to” Pakistan’s senior investigators and “the primacy and responsibility for the investigation remains with the Pakistan authorities.”

The Pakistani government’s findings are unlikely to gain acceptance in Pakistan. Many Pakistanis accuse the government and the military’s feared intelligence agencies of complicity in the assassination of Bhutto on December 27. President Pervez Musharraf has rejected these allegations and blamed militants acting on behalf of al Qaeda for the killing

The Pakistani government’s actions in the immediate aftermath of Bhutto’s assassination served to heighten suspicions of a cover-up. Officials had the assassination site hosed down within hours despite protests from observers. And the government denied Bhutto had even been shot until video footage was aired by Pakistani and international media showing otherwise.

Prior to her death, Bhutto had repeatedly accused elements within Pakistan’s government and the military’s intelligence agencies of plotting to kill her.

Human Rights Watch called upon the United States, the United Kingdom, and other concerned governments to urge Pakistan to accept an independent international inquiry, such as one led by the United Nations, to best ensure that those responsible for the killing are found, no matter where the evidence leads. Read more

LA Times Editorial: Fair elections in Pakistan

2008-01-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

26 Jan, 2008: LA Times Editorial asked that the U.S. must use its leverage with Pakistan's president to ensure that the Feb. 18 voting meets international standards.

President Bush should tell Musharraf that unless he takes steps to correct the glaring electoral irregularities, he can no longer count on U.S. support after a contested election. Bush should specifically demand that Musharraf replace the election commission, whose members are widely viewed as either corrupt, incompetent or both, with a balanced panel that includes opposition figures. Bush should also insist that media restrictions be lifted and that international election monitors be given unfettered access.

House and Senate leaders, particularly the Republicans, whom Musharraf considers more friendly, and those who sit on the committees that control U.S. aid to Pakistan, should write a similar open letter. They include Sens. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), and Reps. Tom Lantos (D-Burlingame), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) and Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine).

And the leading presidential candidates should tell American voters why the prospect of a stolen Pakistani election should matter to us, and insist that Musharraf prevent it. Read more

Vali Nasr: How to squeeze Jihadi culture out of Pakistan?

2008-01-20T13:35:00.000-08:00

• Vali Nasr is a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and an adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is the author of "The Shia Revival: How Conflicts within Islam Will Shape the Future."

In July 2007, Vali Nasr writing for Christian Sciennce Monitor said that Al Qaeda and the Taliban use Pakistani soil as a haven and training ground. Recent deals between the government and Pashtun tribes have in effect ceded the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Taliban and their Al Qaeda allies. A big reason Al Qaeda's influence is growing, according to the NIE, is the operational capability it enjoys in Pakistan.

Democracy should be wel-comed, but it will change little. The last time there was a transfer of power to a civilian government, in 1988, the military still chose the foreign minister and informed the prime minister that it would control the nuclear program, intelligence, security, and policies toward Afghanistan and India. This time, too, the military will continue to call the shots – especially when it comes to Afghanistan.

Islamabad is happy to nab foreign jihadis when pressured by the West or ban extremist groups that get out of hand, but it has been reluctant to uproot the infrastructure of extremism.

Extremist groups proliferate and operate in the open. Musharraf finds them useful in convincing Washington and Pakistan's middle classes that the military is all that protects the country from a Taliban-like Islamic state.

Without Pakistani cooperation, NATO and the US will have to substantially increase their commitments to contain the Taliban. That cooperation will not be forthcoming until the US addresses Pakistani interests.

President Hamid Karzai's strong ties to Delhi and the mushrooming of Indian consulates across Afghanistan. The territory that they "owned" until 9/11, thanks to the Taliban, is now at best neutral and at worst the playground of their arch rival, India.

Washington can give Pakistan greater interest in Afghanistan's stability than it has now by encouraging Kabul to include Pakistan's allies and clients in government; and more important, to finally recognize its international border with Pakistan. Read more

Ask Your Member of Congress to Co-sponsor Resolution for Pakistan

2008-01-18T22:41:00.000-08:00

Background:

Congressman Trent Franks(R-AZ) has tabled a resolution, H. Res 840, Calling for the protection of human rights and restoration of rule of law in Pakistan.

Resolution is in Foreign Relation Committee. From here it will go to the floor for discussion and then voting. If passed this will be a victory for civil society as it asks for the restoration of supreme court judges.

Action Needed:

We want Members of Congress to Co-sponsors the resolution.

As a constituent you can call your Member of Congress DC Office. (click here for the number). Introduce yourself as a constituent, show your concern for deteriorating law and order in Pakistan and ask to be connected to Legislative/foreign affair staffer. Once you are connected to the appropriate person mention your concern about rise of religious extremism in Pakistan and share that political stability and rule of law are necessary steps to solve this crisis. Mention that this is one of the reason we are supporting that judiciary be restored in Pakistan. Here are some more talking points, click here.

Ask them to co-sponsor this bi-partisan resolution, H.Res 840, introduced by Congressman Trent Franks. If they agree to co-sponsor the resolution ask them to email Tina.Ramirez@mail.house.gov. Tina, Congressman Franks staffer, will add their name as co-sponsor. More co-sponsors a resolution has more are the chances of it passing on the floor (of Congress).

Islamists Divided: Enforcing Shariah by Violence

2008-01-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

Nicholas Schmidle is a Pakistan-based writer and a fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs. This is his first article for the magazine.

Published in NY Times in 6th Jan 2007 - Next Gen Taliban- Nicolas Schmidle writes that, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, better known by its abbreviation, J.U.I., is a hard-line Islamist party, widely considered a political front for numerous jihadi organizations, including the Taliban. In the last parliamentary elections here, in 2002, the J.U.I. formed a national coalition with five other Islamist parties and led a campaign that was pro-Taliban, anti-American and spiked with promises to implement Shariah, or Islamic law.

In the past year, the J.U.I. chief has tried to disassociate himself from the new generation of Taliban wreaking havoc not only across the border in Afghanistan, as they have for years, but also increasingly in Pakistan. At the same time, Rehman has been trying to persuade foreign ambassadors and establishment politicians here that he is the only one capable of dealing with those same Taliban.

In the process, some Islamists maintain that Rehman has sold them out. Last April, a rocket whistled over the sugarcane fields that separate Rehman’s house from the main road before crashing into the veranda of his brother’s home next door. A few months later, Pakistani intelligence agencies discovered a hit list, drafted by the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, with Rehman’s name on it.

According to this past summer’s U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, approved by all 16 official intelligence agencies, Al Qaeda has regrouped in the Tribal Areas adjoining the province and may be planning an attack on the American homeland.

Rehman doesn’t pretend to be a liberal; he wants to see Pakistan become a truly Islamic state.

For now, it is Islamist violence that seems to have the political upper hand rather than the accommodation of Islamist currents within a democratic society.

Musharraf’s government says the increasingly frequent bombings are evidence of Talibanization creeping east from the Afghanistan border. The local Taliban militants blast shops selling un-Islamic CDs, cable-TV operators, massage parlors and other sites they consider havens of vice. A newspaper editor in Dera Ismail Khan showed me a letter he received, signed by the Taliban, warning him not to print anything that defamed the mujahedeen. They threatened to blow up his office if he didn’t comply.

Mushahid Hussain, secretary general of the pro-Musharraf faction of the Pakistan Muslim League, told me that no one can negotiate the politics of the North-West Frontier Province better than Rehman.

In September, he had the first meeting of his 30-year political career with an American ambassador. What did Rehman and Anne Patterson, the American envoy, discuss? “She urged me to form an electoral alliance with Benazir Bhutto and Musharraf,” he told me a few days after the meeting. “I am not against it. But politically, because of the American presence in Afghanistan and rising extremism, it is a bit hard for us to afford.” Plus, the fact that the Americans thought Bhutto could tackle the Taliban had simply baffled him. “She has no strategy in those areas, and nothing to do with those people,” he said.

“We are struggling for the enforcement of Shariah,” Sirajuddin told me inside a brick shed that was his office. “Twice, in 1994 and 1999, the government said it was committed to enforcing Shariah in this area, but it never did. The people here want Islam to be a way of life.” He added: “We are Muslims, but our legal system is based on English laws. Our movement wants to replace the English system with an Islamic one.” Read more

Pakistan Nuclear Arsenals: Are they safe from extremists?

2008-01-17T22:42:00.000-08:00

Pervez Hoodbhoy is chairman of the department of physics at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad and the author of "Islam and Science: Religious Orthodoxy and the Battle for Rationality."

Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammad ElBaradei. "I fear that chaos, or an extremist regime, could take root in that country, which has 30 to 40 warheads," he said. He also expressed fear that "nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of extremist groups in Pakistan or Afghanistan."

Pakistan has become steadily more radicalized as the influence of Islamists increases in its culture and society. The deliberate nurturing of jihadism by the state has, over 30 years, produced extremism inside parts of the military and intelligence. Today, some parts are at war with other parts.

A group of six Pakistani militants, reportedly brainwashed by clerics linked to Al Qaeda, was arrested in December for plotting suicide attacks against military targets. Their leader was revealed to be a former army major, Ahsan-ul-Haq, who had masterminded the Nov. 1 suicide attack on a Pakistan Air Force bus that killed 9 people and wounded 40 others in the city of Sargodha, where nuclear weapons are said to be stored.

Many vexing questions concern the weapons laboratories and production units. Given the sloppy work culture, it is hard to imagine that accurate records have been maintained over a quarter century of fissile-material production. So, can one be certain that small, but significant, quantities of highly enriched uranium have not made their way out? More ominously, religious fervor in these places has grown enormously over the last 30 years.

Nevertheless, we Pakistanis live in a state of denial. Even as suicide bombings escalate, criticism of religious extremists remains taboo. The overwhelming majority still attributes recent terrorist events - such as the assassination of Benazir Bhutto - to the Musharraf government. But these delusions will eventually shatter. At some point we will surely see that ElBaradei's warning makes sense. Read more

Dr. Rubin: Pakistan's Power Puzzle

2008-01-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

Barnett R. Rubin is Director of Studies and Senior Fellow at the Center on International Cooperation of New York University, where he directs the program on the Reconstruction of Afghanistan. ICGA blog

Dr. Rubin wrote an excellent analysis (Pakistan's Power Puzzle - 1st Jan 2008) highlighting that Pakistan Military see themselves as responsible for building a powerful militarized state in Pakistan representing the heritage of Islamic empires in South and Central Asia against the threat from India and the selfish maneuvers of politicians (not necessarily in that order). In the course of doing so, they have enriched themselves and gained control of much of the economy and civilian administration. The military has always aspired to control the judiciary as well, and Musharraf has now restored to that institution the supine illegitimacy that it possessed under General Zia.

The military allies with the U.S. because that is the only way to get the weapons and money for their national security project and to prevent the U.S. from aligning with India.

The goal of the Pakistan military has been neither moderation nor extremism as defined in Washington. Its goal has been to stay in power in order to pursue its national security project, which is also in its institutional interest and the private interest of its members. So why did Musharraf enter into negotiations with Bhutto? As Chief of Army Staff, Musharraf occupied a role similar to that of head of the ruling party in a one-party dominant system. His party, the military, unlike the other parties, is a disciplined cadre organization which, along with its fellow travelers (civilian allies of the military) controls all the key levers of power, including the civil administration and the judiciary. Such control is, it believes, required by the national interest

In order to maintain the essential base of his party's control (U.S. weapons and money) after 9/11, Musharraf had to abandon the military's historic political alliance with the religious right and its allied militants. Read more

Peshawar: Suicide Attack at a Shia Mosque

2008-01-17T12:47:00.001-08:00

BBC Report: 17 Jan, 2008: A suicide attack at a Shia mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar has left 10 people dead and at least 20 wounded, officials have said.

The blast came as the minority Shia community prepared to mark this weekend's Ashura festival.

An eyewitness told the BBC the teenage bomber pushed past security personnel before blowing himself up.

Security has been high in Pakistan during the holy month of Muharram, of which Ashura marks the climax.

A BBC reporter at the scene counted five bodies and was told by officials other dead had been removed.

There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.

Thursday's bombing happened in the same area of Peshawar where 11 people died in a suicide attack last year during Ashura.

Full Story

This a list of 25 suicide attacks in NWFP during 2007. Click here

ANAA Press Release: Benazir Assasination and call for UN led Investigation

2008-01-01T16:19:00.000-08:00

1st January, 2008

ANAA is saddened and heartbroken by the untimely and tragic demise of ex-prime Minister Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. Her assassination is a harsh reminder that terrorism achieves no objectives but only causes human tragedy. We stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan in rejecting and condemning this shameful act. ANAA also extends condolence to the family members of citizens killed in this cowardly act.

ANAA is extremely concerned by the lack of security in Pakistan. It demands that the government of Pakistan provides security to life and property of all its citizens.

We support the demand of a United Nation led investigation into the tragedy.

US Foreign Operation: Military Aid to Pakistan

2007-12-19T13:19:00.001-08:00

Omnibus Spending Bill:

20th Dec, 2007: US Senate and House have passed the US Federal Spending Bill that puts restriction on Military aid ($50 million annually). State Department will have to certify periodically that Pakistan government is meeting the requirement ensuring control of extremism and democratic reforms to get the access to military aid.

Focus on Pakistan:
20th Dec 2007: HR 2764 "Foreign Military financing Program" - click here

19th Dec 2007: The News - Shaheen Sehbai Reports on Conditions imposed of Military Aid: click here
6th Dec 2007: Committee on Foreign Relation: Hearing on Pakistan by State Department, USAID and others. click here

Excellent Resource:

Recent Updates in US on Pakistan: click here

FOREIGN RELATION COMMITTEE:

2007-12-06T22:52:00.000-08:00

All Members:

Tom Lantos, Chair (D-CA)
Gary Ackerman, Chair South Asia Subcommittee (D-NY)

David Scott (D-GA-13)

Jim Costa (D-CA)
Ron Klein (D-FL)
Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Eliot Engel (D-NY)

Russ Carnahan (D-MO-3)

Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

William Delahunt (D-MA)

Republicans:

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking (R-FL)

Mike Pence, Ranking South Asia Subcomittee (R-IN)

Dan Burton (R-IN-5)

Jeff Flake (R-AZ-6)

HOUSE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE:

2007-12-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

HOUSE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE:

David Obey, Chair (D-WI)

Jerry Lewis, Ranking (D-CA)

Nita Lowey, Chair Subcommittee on Foreign Ops (D-NY)

Jesse Jackson (D-IL)

Adam Schiff (D-CA)
Steve Israel (D-NY)
Ben Chandler (D-KY)
Steve Rothman (D-NJ)
Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Frank Wolf, Ranking Subcommittee on Foreign Ops (R-VA)
Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)
Mike Honda (D-CA)

Day on the Hill: Talking Points

2007-11-29T00:41:00.000-08:00

Day on the Hill Wednesday, December 5th, 2007

Talking Points with Congress and Media:

1. Pakistan is on the front line on the war on terror. A strong and stable Pakistan is in the best interests of the international community.

2. Protection of the Rule of Law and independence of the judiciary is critical for the internal stability of Pakistan.

3. The events in Pakistan from the beginning of 2007 have undermined the Supreme Court, the independence of the judiciary, the press, and all other institutions that are hallmarks of a society based upon a competent legal structure.

4. Media coverage of lawyers being beaten, imprisoned, and detained has provoked a global reaction from the international community.

5. It is of utmost importance that the United States conveys to the Government in Pakistan that the Rule of Law by the Restoration of the Supreme Court of Pakistan is integral and in the best interests of all parties.

6. Musharraf's sinking credibility is making Pakistan more unstable and religious extremists are likely to benefit from this situation. Pakistani as well as American interests will be at stake in such an eventuality.

7. The perception that U.S. stands by Musharraf is leading to more anti-Americanism in Pakistan. Any statement from U.S. congress in support of Pakistan's judiciary and lawyers' movement will enhance US image and in fact will increase its capacity to constructively engage Pakistani society.

8. Blaming the Supreme Court in interfering with the war on terror is misleading. The only episode in which the Supreme Court actually helped any extremists was when two judges of that court took suo moto notice of the closure of the Red Mosque in Islamabad. The two judges who ordered that the mosque be restored to the same extremists after a bloody siege were amongst those who re-took the oath under the Emergency. This contradicts the notion by General Musharraf that the Supreme Court was interfering with the war on terror.

9. The American Bar Association has refuted the justification of General Musharraf’s action by citing the threat of terrorism. It stated that Judiciary is a cornerstone of lawful government and shutting down a nation’s lawful institutions of justice will hurt, not help, the fight against terrorism.

Day on the Hill- Invite for Member of Congress

2007-11-27T01:11:00.000-08:00

A call for the Restoration of the Supreme Court and the Rule of Law in Pakistan

An advocacy day on the Hill, Dec 5th, 2007

Pakistan is on the front line on the war on terror. A strong and stable Pakistan is in the best interests of the international community. Protection of the Rule of Law and independence of the judiciary is critical for the internal stability of Pakistan.

The events in Pakistan from the beginning of 2007 have undermined the Supreme Court, the independence of the judiciary, the press, and all other institutions that are hallmarks of a society based upon a competent legal structure. Media coverage of lawyers being beaten, imprisoned, and detained has provoked a global reaction from the international community.

It is of utmost importance that the United States conveys to the Government in Pakistan that the Rule of Law by the Restoration of the Supreme Court of Pakistan is integral and in the best interests of all parties.

Several Members of Congress have authored resolutions highlighting this issue. These are:

S. RES.372: Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Biden(D-DE)

H.RES 810: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

H.Res.823: Congressman Ackerman (D-NY) & Congressman Delahunt (D-MA)

Senator Obama's statement on the Emergency in Pakistan

Senator Clinton's statement on the Emergency in Pakistan

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY) has issued a statement warning Musharraf

Trent Franks (R-AZ) has spoken on the issue of human rights violations in Pakistan

Concerned organizations, members of the public and the media are gathering on December 5, 2007, to show their support for several Resolutions in the U.S. Congress. Your support and presence will be an asset to our forum. Please RSVP as indicated below.

WHAT: A call for the Restoration of the Supreme Court and the Rule of Law in Pakistan

WHERE: Room 2105 Rayburn House Office Building
Location: Southwest of the Capitol on a site bounded by Independence Avenue, South Capitol Street, First Street, and C Street, S.W.Building, Washington DC

TIME: 1PM to 3 PM

Space is limited, so please respond early.

RSVP:

YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFO

AND

Zafar Iqbal cell 928-550-0062 or email: ziqbal71@gmail.com

Wed 5th Dec 2007: Day on the Hill - Announcement

2007-11-27T00:12:00.000-08:00

Dear All concerned Pakistanis living in the USA:

Pakistan, the country of our identity is at cross roads today. The assault on judiciary, if left unchallenged will leave a permanent mark in our history. It is our time to act and do our part.

A group of various organizations and individuals have come forward to arrange an advocacy day on the hill on Wednesday, Dec 5th, 2007. The room has been booked through Zafar Iqbal of ANAA.

Although the congress is in recess and it is a religious Jewish holiday, many lawmakers will be in town for regular business. The offices of all the lawmakers are open on that day.

If you are interested in participating in this event, please let us know if you can contribute in one of the three ways. ie financially, bringing yourself and others to the event to show support to the cause, and most important, by bringing in your congressman or his/her staff to the event.

All those who help the event in any of the three above mentioned ways will be listed as the sponsors of the event. The podium time will be allotted to the elected US representatives only. The sponsors who bring in the elected representatives will have the privilege to introduce them. No other speakers will be entertained.

The sponsors so far are (in order of their acceptance of responsibility) ANAA, AOPP, AMPI, Doctors for Democracy, APPJD, PADD, PAC. Many are joining in their individual capacity.

Please use the following pintail announcement click here to reach your congressman/ senator. Please find out the contacts of your representative by visiting the site, click here

Ask for the foreign relations staffer and give the information below. Once you have secured an appointment with the representative, please forward that information to me at nmgondal@aol.com or at cell 917-860-0808.

We need a critical mass of the representatives by Wednesday Nov 28th, in order to proceed with the event. Please make this your first priority to secure appointments.

Nasir Gondal

Muneer A Malik: Pride of Pakistan - Before and After the Torture

2007-11-25T23:48:00.000-08:00

Muneer A Malik at his peak addressing the lawyers.

Muneer A Malik was picked up after Nov 3 emergency. He was likely tortured that possibly lead to Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) and that lead to his kidneys shutting down as muscle breakdown products block the kidneys. We at ANAA condemns his incarceration and negligence by State in strongest words. We pray for our hero to recover fully and join the struggle for independence of judiciary and rule of law in Pakistan.

Missing in Pakistan - Dictatorship as expected

2007-11-25T23:30:00.000-08:00

A very touching film which must be watched by all alike, it was set to be released on Nov 21st in a viewing at FAST-NU Lahore but the authorities clamped down on this and prevented the viewing. Since then it has moved on to the digital world originally uploaded at [ The Critique Aggregator ] while simultaneously uploaded on the Missing in Pakistan blog. Watch the video and spread the word, if you want to download a full screen version then download from RapidShare 103MB - ANAA thanks Teeth Maestro for blogging the movie

US Congressional Initiative

2007-11-25T22:04:00.000-08:00

Guide to Contact your Congressional Rep

Resolutions in Foreign Relation Committee (FRC):

Support Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) Resolution

Statements by Congressional Representative:

H.Res.823: Congressman Acherman (D-NY) & Congressman Delahunt (D-MA)

2007-11-24T16:39:00.000-08:00

November 14, 2007: Mr. Ackerman (for himself and Mr. Delahunt) submitted the following resolution (Text PDF) ; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) condemns the imposition of a state of emergency in
Pakistan by General Pervez Musharraf on November 3, 2007;

(2) commends members of the legal profession in Pakistan as
well as opposition politicians, human rights activists, and
independent journalists for their courageous opposition to the
state of emergency and their principled leadership in defending
the Constitution of Pakistan and promoting the rule of law;

(3) calls on General Musharraf to rescind ``Provisional
Constitutional Order No. 1 of 2007'', and restore the
Constitution of Pakistan;

(4) calls on General Musharraf to restore to their
positions all Supreme Court and high court justices and other
members of the legal profession in Pakistan who have been
removed from office and to respect the independence of the
Pakistani judiciary;

(5) calls on General Musharraf to rescind the ``Press,
Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2007'' and allow independent media to re-open;

(6) calls on General Musharraf to release the hundreds of
opposition politicians, lawyers, journalists, and human rights
activists recently arrested;

(7) expects General Musharraf to step down as Chief of Army
Staff as he has repeatedly promised to do;

(8) urges that free and fair elections be held before
January 15, 2008, as previously scheduled; and

(9) urges President George W. Bush to suspend all military
assistance including the sale and transfer of military
equipment to the Government of Pakistan until the conditions
described in paragraphs (3) through (8) have been met.

S. RES.372: Senator John Kerry (D-MA)

2007-11-24T13:08:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2007 - Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced S.RES.372 ( Text of the resolution PDF WORD) which expresses the sense of the Senate:

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate—

(1) to condemn the decision by President Pervez Musharraf
of Pakistan to declare a state of emergency in Pakistan,
suspend the Constitution of Pakistan, dismiss the Supreme Court
Justices refusing to take a loyalty oath, and initiate a
nation-wide crackdown on political opposition, the media, and
the courts in Pakistan;

(2) to call on President Musharraf to revoke the state of
emergency, respect the rule of law and immediately release
political detainees, restore the Constitution of Pakistan,
restore freedom of the press and judicial independence in
Pakistan, and reinstate all dismissed members of the Supreme
Court of Pakistan;

(3) to call upon President Musharraf to honor his
commitment to relinquish his position as Chief of Army Staff of
Pakistan, allow free and fair parliamentary elections in
Pakistan in accordance with the schedule mandated by the
Constitution of Pakistan, establish an independent commission
to guarantee that such elections are free and fair, and permit
full and unfettered independent monitoring of such elections;

(4) that the Government of the United States should provide
whatever assistance is necessary to facilitate such free and
fair elections, including by supporting independent election
monitoring organizations and efforts;

(5) to call upon the Government of Pakistan to conduct a
full investigation into the attempted assassination of former
Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto and provide her and
other political leaders with all necessary security to ensure
their personal safety; and

(6) that United States military assistance to Pakistan
should be subjected to careful review, and that assistance for
the purchase of certain weapons systems not directly related to
the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban should be suspended
if President Musharraf does not revoke the state of emergency
and restore the Constitution of Pakistan, relinquish his
position as Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, and allow for free
and fair elections to be held in Pakistan in accordance with
the announced time frame.

The Resolution was co-sponsored by:

Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE),
Barack Obama (D-IL),
Robert Casey (D-PA) and
Richard Durbin (D-IL).

The Resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

H.RES 810: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

2007-11-24T11:51:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2007: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced H.RES.810 (click here for text of resolution PDF WORD) which:

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate—

(1) to condemn the decision by President Pervez Musharraf
of Pakistan to declare a state of emergency in Pakistan,
suspend the Constitution of Pakistan, dismiss the Supreme Court
Justices refusing to take a loyalty oath, and initiate a
nation-wide crackdown on political opposition, the media, and
the courts in Pakistan;

(2) to call on President Musharraf to revoke the state of
emergency, respect the rule of law and immediately release
political detainees, restore the Constitution of Pakistan,
restore freedom of the press and judicial independence in
Pakistan, and reinstate all dismissed members of the Supreme
Court of Pakistan;

(3) to call upon President Musharraf to honor his
commitment to relinquish his position as Chief of Army Staff of
Pakistan, allow free and fair parliamentary elections in
Pakistan in accordance with the schedule mandated by the
Constitution of Pakistan, establish an independent commission
to guarantee that such elections are free and fair, and permit
full and unfettered independent monitoring of such elections;

(4) that the Government of the United States should provide
whatever assistance is necessary to facilitate such free and
fair elections, including by supporting independent election
monitoring organizations and efforts;

(5) to call upon the Government of Pakistan to conduct a
full investigation into the attempted assassination of former
Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto and provide her and
other political leaders with all necessary security to ensure
their personal safety; and

(6) that United States military assistance to Pakistan
should be subjected to careful review, and that assistance for
the purchase of certain weapons systems not directly related to
the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban should be suspended
if President Musharraf does not revoke the state of emergency
and restore the Constitution of Pakistan, relinquish his
position as Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, and allow for free
and fair elections to be held in Pakistan in accordance with
the announced timeframe.

The Resolution was co-sponsored by Representatives:

Rep Bilirakis, Gus M. (R-FL)
Rep Burton, Dan (R-IN)
Rep Butterfield, G. K. (D-NC)
Rep Chabot, Steve (R-OH)
Rep Crowley, Joseph (D-NY)
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. (D-MD)
Rep Delahunt, William D. (D-MA)
Rep Ellison, Keith (D-MN)
Rep Green, Al (D-TX)
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. (D-FL)
Rep Honda, Michael M. (D-CA)
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. (D-NY)
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. (D-NJ)
Rep Rush, Bobby L. (D-IL)
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. (D-CA)
Rep Towns, Edolphus (D-NY)
Rep Van Hollen, Chris (D-MD)
Rep Watson, Diane E. (D-CA)
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. (D-CA)
Rep Wu, David (D-OR)

The Resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

ANAA Congressional Guide

2007-11-24T10:54:00.000-08:00

Find Your Congressional Representative:

From Your Zip Code, click here , AMA Resource,
Congress Database

Know Your Congressional District, click here

Find Congressional Bill and their sponsors, click here

Who is funding your congress member click here

Support Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) Initiative for Supreme Court Judges in Pakistan

2007-11-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Pakistan and ANAA Members,

Pakistan is passing through tough times. For the first time in Pakistan history "Judiciary" has boldly stood with the people of Pakistan. All Martial laws in the past were given a legal cover by the Supreme court but this Judiciary has boldly defied. Civil society in Pakistan and abroad have supported Chief Justice Chaudhry Iftikhar and other supreme court judges who have refused to take oath under PCO. Our national heroes like Chaudhry Aitizaz, president of supreme court bar assosiation, Munir A Malik and all others who are incarcerated, so that Pakistan can get a new start, need our support.

My Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) has taken a bold stand for the supremacy of judiciary and rule of law in Pakistan. He will soon be tabling a resolution that would be urging the government of Pakistan to immediately restore the rule of law by reinstating the constitution and members of supreme court of Pakistan. He would ask that all charges against the human right defenders should be ended and all of them should be released immediately from detention and house arrest. He would ask to restore the independence of media.

Congressman Trent Franks is interested in getting more co-sponsors for his resolution.

Please ask your congressional representative to endorse this initiative. You can reach your representative by clicking here.

If you congressional representative is interested in co-sponsoring the resolution then their office can contact Tina Ramirez -email Tina.Ramirez@mail.house.gov and get the copy of actual resolution.

Please make this call today. This is one positive thing we can do for people of Pakistan.

Regards-
Zaffar Iqbal
ANAA President
928-550-0062
website: http://www.4anaa.org/
Blog: http://www.anaavoice.org/

Media coverage: Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) blasted Pakistan's crackdown on human right defenders. full report

Washington Post: General Musharraf is the problem

2007-11-20T09:17:00.000-08:00

Gen. Musharraf Is the Problem

An end to Pakistan's political crisis is incompatible with his personal ambitions.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007; Page A16

LIKE MANY autocrats before him, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has confused his own fortunes with those of his country. Over the weekend he told a visiting U.S. envoy that only he could save Pakistan from terrorism and lead it toward democracy. In fact, the opposite is true: It is increasingly clear that Gen. Musharraf has become the foremost obstacle to ending Pakistan's state of emergency and revitalizing what has been a losing battle against Islamic extremists. The Bush administration, which has been trying to rescue Gen. Musharraf, needs to accept that Pakistan's rescue can begin only with his departure.

Every major step Gen. Musharraf has taken in the past two weeks has been aimed at preserving his hold on power, at the expense of his country. The state of emergency he declared did not facilitate the army's fight against extremists, as he claimed, but it allowed him to fire a dozen Supreme Court judges who were considering legal challenges to his highly manipulated "reelection" as president. Yesterday the new judges appointed by Gen. Musharraf dismissed most of the challenges; they are paving the way for him to remain president even as they destroy the nascent independence of the Pakistani judiciary.

Gen. Musharraf has sought to appease the Bush administration by announcing parliamentary elections for early January. But he has refused to lift the state of emergency and has suggested several times that he will hold the vote under de facto martial law. That would save Gen. Musharraf from the political and legal challenges that could flow from a restoration of the rule of law, since his actions after he suspended the constitution have been hugely unpopular and blatantly illegal. It could also allow him to control the results of the elections and prevent a strong showing by Pakistan's two largest secular political parties, which oppose him. But it would make a mockery of democracy and ruin the chance for Pakistan's moderate center -- its political parties, jurists, journalists and civil society groups -- to unite with the army against the growing threat of the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

The Bush administration, which for years has made the mistake of wedding itself to Gen. Musharraf rather than working to strengthen the country's secular institutions, at last is backing away slightly. President Bush telephoned the general to ask that he step down as army chief . Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte said after meeting Gen. Musharraf on Saturday that "emergency rule is not compatible with free, fair and credible elections." Mr. Negroponte also met with Gen. Musharraf's likely military successor, Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani, a pro-Western moderate. But the Bush administration is still clinging to the idea that Gen. Musharraf can be induced to make a deal with opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, though she has said publicly that she will no longer work with him.

In reality, it is difficult to imagine a positive outcome to Pakistan's crisis that does not involve Gen. Musharraf's retirement. The country's best interest, and that of the United States, lies in restoring the constitution, reinstating and strengthening an independent judiciary, reopening independent media without restrictions, and holding free and fair elections in which all Pakistani parties are able to participate. As Gen. Musharraf himself has recognized, he cannot survive in office under those conditions. editorial link

Press Release: NY Coney Island Seminar Report

2007-11-18T19:04:00.000-08:00

Contact:
Nasor Gondal
917-860-0808

Trampling of Constitution and Justice in Pakistan

18th Nov 2007: The seminar on the present crisis in Pakistan was held at Ziafat Hall on Coney Island Avenue in the Little Pakistan section of Brooklyn on Sunday 18th, 2007 from 1 to 5 PM. It was hosted by Doctors for Democracy and Justice, a Pakistani American Physicians group in collaboration with Coney Island Avenue Project. Upward of hundred members of Pakistani community attended the seminar.

Dr Faheem Butt was the emcee. Dr Abdul Majeed welcomed the audience and gave introduction of Doctors for Democracy and Justice.

Speakers included Ali Ahsan Esq, Attorney at Law, Son of Atizaz Ahsan, Manzur Ejaz, Washington based free lance Journalist, Rana Ramzan, Pakistani American Advocates for Civil and Human Rights (PAACHR), Ahsanullah Khan (Bobby) of Coney Island Avenue Project, Bazah Roohi of Asian-American Network against Abuse of Human Rights (ANAA), Dr Mohammad Naqi of Association of Pakistani Physicians for Democracy and Justice (APPJD), and Shahid Comrade of Pak-American Freedom Forum.

Mazhar Abbas, Secretary-General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists was the keynote speaker and received standing ovation. He described in detail the long history of Pakistani journalists' struggle.

Justice (Rtd) Wajih-ud-Din Ahmed, addressed the gathering through special telephone arrangement from Karachi. He eloquently highlighted the historic perspective of the current judiccial and politcal crisis.

Hassan Abbas, Boston based political analyst could not join due do a family emergency.

Folk poet Bashir Khokhar read his latest fiery poem Emergency Na Manzoor.

Speakers of behalf of political parties included Rohail Dar (PML-N), Khalid Awan and Sarwar Chaudhry (PPP), Afsar Ali (ANP) Shamsuz Zaman (MMA), and Sheik Elahi (Tehrike Insaaf)

There was a Q & A session in the end.

In the end Dr Qazi Kamal Haider presented a resolution. It called for the immediate lifting of Emergency, restoration of the Supreme court under the leadership of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, Military to go back to the barracks, opening up of the private channels and free and fair elections.

Event was attended by media representatives of Dawn, Jung, Geo VOA, BBC and the NY Pakistani media including Sadae Pakistan, Pakistan Post, News Pakistan, Urdu Times, Ravi and Pakistan Express.

Slogan For Rallies

2007-11-18T12:09:00.000-08:00

Nahin Chalee Gee...Nahin Chalee Gee...
Lathi Goli Ki Sarkar....
Nahin Chalee Gee....Nahin Chalee Gee

PU Teachers: Booked for Treason - How We Can Help from US....

2007-11-18T11:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Colleagues,

Pakistan civil society has a hope as judiciary, media and now the teachers are rallying for democracy and independence of institution in Pakistan.

At ANAA-voice, official blog of ANAA , we are archiving the efforts from US for restoration of rule of law in Pakistan.

Now is the time to show solidarity with the teachers. Punjab University's, a premier institution in Pakistan, 13 teachers have been booked under treason. Please email at 4anaapk@gmail.com or call us 928-550-0062 if you have ideas of how we, from US, can show our support for the teachers movement.

Nation Reported that the varsity teachers booked include President of Punjab University Academic Staff Association Prof Dr Mumtaz Ahmed Salik, Secretary ASA Prof Dr Asmat Ullah, Prof Dr Haris Rashid, Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Prof Dr Mujahid Mansoori, Prof Dr Bashir Ahmed, Prof Dr Shafiq Jallundhri, Prof Ch Muhammad Nazir, Prof Nayyar Raza Zaidi, Prof Sami Ozair, Prof Ziaullah Shah, Prof Abdul Ghaffar and Prof Amanullah.

On November 8 the ASA held the general body meeting of the association at the Chemical Engineering Department. After the conclusion of the meeting, which condemned the imposition of emergency rule in the country and the introduction of PCO. The teachers formed a small procession and marched some distance to the Institute of Education and Research. The teachers peaceful protest ended at IER. They were holding banners calling for restoration of democracy and judiciary. The teachers were not more than 100 in number.

The teachers have been booked under the PPC 143 according to which they were breaking the law of the land and their gathering was of more than 400 people. Section 124 A says that they were committing an act of treason. The teachers were booked by the police and not arrested mainly for the reason that there were huge protests of students in the varsity everyday and the situation was very tense. Saturday and Sunday being holidays at the varsity the police began search for them.

Late Saturday night all the booked teachers, who are renowned academics and research scholars, faced great mental torture. Fearing arrest many of them were planning not to spend the night with their families. full story

Press Release: UN Protest by NY Students' Pak Action Committee

2007-11-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

Contact Info:

Bilal Tanweer - 917-476-6267
Maryam Arif - 857-383-8047

New York, NY -- November 18th, 2007:

We, the New York Students' Pakistan Action Committee, Asia-American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights (ANAA), members of Pakistani community in New York and the tristate area, and friends of Pakistan, are demonstrating to condemn the reprehensible and brazen attack on the independence of judiciary, media, suspension of the constitution and fundamental rights in Pakistan by General Pervez Musharraf. We strongly protest against the imposition of Martial Law by General Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan on Saturday, November 3, 2007.

We demand General Musharraf to:

1. Immediately restore the 1973 Constitution and the fundamental rights of the Pakistani people.

2. Restore the pre-martial law judicial system and reinstate the judges forcibly 'removed'.

3. Release all the judges, lawyers, human rights activists, politicians and civil society activists who have been arrested.

4. Stop interference with the media and withdraw the restrictions on T.V. channels to operate freely.

5. Strike down the draconian measures being used to curb the media’s freedom especially the ‘code of conduct’ promulgated through the Amended Press Ordinance. Allow the broadcast of electronic media and remove any censorship curbs which have been imposed under the Emergency Law.

6. Strike down the amendment in the Army Act which allows the military courts to try civilians.

7. Hold free and fair elections to restore true democracy in Pakistan and put an end to involvement of armed forces in Pakistani politics.

We especially condemn the clamp-down of GEO Television network and the extraordinary measures taken to cause financial losses to the network. We demand the restoration of basic rights in Pakistan and the return to democracy.

Chicago Rally: Monday 19th Nov 2007

2007-11-15T23:54:00.000-08:00

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 14, 2007

Rishi Agrawal
Rishi@agrawalfirm.com

Asian American Bar Association
aabachicago@yahoo.com

CHICAGO LAWYERS SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND LAWYERS IN PAKISTAN

The recent events in Pakistan -- suspending the constitution, shutting down
the Supreme Court, and jailing more than 3,000 lawyers -- are a clear breach
of the rule of law. Bar associations across the United States and around the
world, immediately spoke out. To show support for our colleagues in
Pakistan, Chicago area bar associations are organizing a rally on Monday,
November 19th.

The Pakistani American Bar Association of North America, Indian American Bar
Association of Chicago, Muslim Bar Association of Chicago, and Asian
American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area are holding a rally to
demonstrate support for an independent judiciary and the return to the rule
of law.

The Rally is co-sponsored by the Chicago Bar Association, Chinese American
Bar Association, The Decalogue Society of Lawyers, National Lawyers Guild
Chicago Chapter, North American South Asian Bar Association, and other bar
associations.

To demonstrate that we share Pakistani lawyers' commitment to justice,
please wear your black suit to work on Monday and, if possible, join fellow
lawyers at the rally.

When: Noon-1pm, Monday, November 19
Where: Richard J. Daley Center Lobby
Attire: Black suit

Featured speaker is Professor Douglas Cassel, Director of Notre Dame Law
School's Center for Civil and Human Rights.

"As leaders of the Chicago legal community, we have been both moved and
troubled by the developments in Pakistan. The spirit of the Pakistani
lawyers in fighting for the rule of law has been inspiring. At the same
time, the actions against the Pakistani judiciary strike at the very core of
our beliefs. This rally is our small way of supporting the efforts for the
return to the rule of law and an independent judiciary in Pakistan," stated

Rishi Agrawal (312-399-1697), Executive Director of the North American South
Asian Bar Association.

Please join our effort to show the world that Pakistan's lawyers are not
fighting alone.

Chicago Seminar: Friday 16th Nov 2007

2007-11-15T23:07:00.000-08:00

Date: Friday, Nov 16th 2007
Time: 12:00 - 1:30PM
Location: University of Chicago - Classics 110
Contact: Manan Ahmed - manan@uchicago.edu

On November 3rd, 2007 General Pervez Musharraf suspended the Constitution
of Pakistan, declared a State of Emergency and arrested the Supreme Court
judges. His second coup, since 1999, was designed to protect his regime from
facing judicial and electoral challenges. The imposition of martial law has been
met with widespread protest, especially from the movement of lawyers that
arisen in opposition to continued military rule. Thousands of lawyers, judges,
human rights activists, students, and politicians have been arrested and
detained in the last week. There has been a media black-out over cable
channels.

The Department of South Asia Languages and Civilizations hosts a Teach In, on
the historical and political dimensions of the current situation and its
implication for US foreign policy, featuring the following speakers:

* CM Naim, Professor Emeritus, Department of South Asia Languages and
Civilizations, University of Chicago who will speak on the US/Pakistan relations
since the 1950s.

* Atiya Khan, PhD Candidate, Department of History, University of Chicago who
will speak on Pakistan in the 1960s: Revolt and Counter- Revolution.

* Manan Ahmed, PhD Candidate, Department of South Asian Languages and
Civilizations, University of Chicago who will speak on the Baluchistan/ Swat
crisis behind this Emergency.

* Aqil Shah, Department of Political Science, Columbia University
who will speak on the short term and structural features of military praetorianism in
Pakistan.

Washington DC: Friday 16th Nov 2007- Congressional HR Caucus Briefing

2007-11-15T13:28:00.000-08:00

Congressional Human Rights Caucus (CHRC)

Briefing:

Pakistan – A Human Rights Update
Friday, November 16, 2007
11:30 am – 1:00pm
Room: 2255 Rayburn

Please join the Congressional Human Rights Caucus for a briefing on the escalating situation in Pakistan regarding democracy and human rights. The briefing will be held on Friday, November 16, 2007, at 11:30 in room 2255 Rayburn HOB. The briefing is open to the public and the media.

On November 3, 2007, Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf suspended the country’s constitution and assumed emergency powers in his role as both president and army chief. The Proclamation of Emergency issued by Musharraf justified the suspension as necessary due to the country’s rapidly deteriorating security circumstances (“an unprecedented level of violent intensity posing a grave threat to the life and property of the citizens of Pakistan”) and to the allegedly negative role being played by the country’s judiciary, which was claimed to be “working at cross purposes with the executive and legislature in the fight against terrorism and extremism thereby weakening the Government and the nation’s resolve and diluting the efficacy of its actions to control this menace.” According to the proclamation, the situation required “emergent and extraordinary measures.” A Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) was issued by Musharraf (in his role as army chief) on the same day pursuant to the emergency proclamation. The PCO requires, inter alia, that the country’s judiciary take a new oath of office, and it bars the judiciary from making any orders against the PCO or from taking any action against the President, the Prime Minister, or anyone acting under their authority. It also suspends a number of “Fundamental Rights” listed in Chapter One of the Pakistani Constitution. These include freedom from unlawful arrest and detention, and freedoms of movement, assembly, association, and speech. Seven Supreme Court justices, including the Chief Justice, and scores of High Court judges refused to take a new oath of office under the PCO and were summarily dismissed.

Among the most immediate effects of the emergency declaration was a harsh crackdown on Pakistan’s independent media outlets. Numerous private television and radio stations were blacked out in the wake of Musharraf’s announcement and a new government order was announced banning any media reports that “defame or bring ridicule” to the government or military. Violations of the order can bring a one-year prison sentence or a five million rupee ($82,000) fine. Moreover, as many as 1,800 opposition figures, human rights activists, and lawyers were rounded up and detained in the two days following the emergency proclamation. The U.S. government expressed “grave concern” about the crackdown, calling such “extreme and unreasonable measures” contradictory to the goal of a fully democratic Pakistan.
According to Amnesty International, the emergency rules triggered the arrest of hundreds of people on alleged terrorism charges, and “[t]he pattern of arrest and persecution of human rights activists, lawyers and the political party workers continues…” Under international pressure, President Musharraf announced that new parliamentary elections will be held in January 2008, but indicated on November 14th that these elections would be held with emergency rules still in place. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was placed under house arrest twice under those rules to prevent her from organizing major rallies of her supporters. Other notable political leaders, such as Imran Khan have also been placed under arrest.

To discuss these important issues, we will welcome as expert witnesses:
·
T. Kumar, Amnesty International
· Tom Malinowski, Human Rights Watch
· Mohammad Akram Sheikh, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of Pakistan
· Jennifer Leonard, International Crisis Group

We look forward to seeing you at this important briefing. If you have any questions, please call Sarah Burns (Rep. Lantos) at 202-225-3531 or Hillary Hosford (Rep. Wolf) at 202-225-5136. For media inquiries, please call Lynne Weil at 202-225-5021.

Tom Lantos, M.C. Frank R. Wolf, M.C.
Co-Chair, CHRC Co-Chair, CHRC

Guide to Contact Your Congressional Representative

2007-11-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Concerned Citizens,

Please Call your Congressman/woman and Senators' office.

For their number click here

Ask to be connected to the staffer who deals with Foreign Relations in Washington Office.

Once you get connected to that person, introduce yourself and show your concern for Emergency in Pakistan.

Ask them:

1. To attend the "Day on the Hill" arranged to show solidarity with Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed and all the judiciary that refused to take oath under the new PCO. ANAA is a co-host in the "Day on the Hill" which is organised on Wednesday, 5th December, 2007 from 1-3:00PM at 2105 Rayburn building. If your staffer is interested and will attend the program or/and bring Congressional Representative please contact us so that we know about their approximate time.

2. Ask them to co-sponsor Congressman Trent Franks (R-AZ) resolution. Click here for directions to co-sponsor.

3. To issue a statement in line with Senator Kerry, Senator Biden, Congresswoman Lowey and inform them about the 3 house resolutions and 1 senate resolution. Tell them that you will forward them congressional statement and the resolution. - click here for the resolutions and statements.

4. Ask them to mention restoration chief justice Iftikhar A Chaudhry and all other judges who refused to take oath under PCO. Forward them Harvard Law School "Medal of Freedom" ( click here for link ) award to Chief Justice Iftikhar Ahmed for his principled stand. This medal was given in the past to Nelson Mandela.

5. Ask for an appointment with the Staffer. It is important to build relationship with your Congress office.We have volunteers in DC who would meet them.

Please call me 928-550-0062 or email: ziqbal71@gmail.com if you want to volunteer to be part of the team to meet these Congress representative OR if you have an appointment with them and need volunteer teams to meet them. OR for any other question/concern about this Congressional initiative.

Lets all work together for a better and democratic Pakistan for independent Judiciary and Media, two institutions, on which the wrath of establishment is on.

Regards-
Zaffar Iqbal
President ANAA
http://www.4anaa.org/

NY Seminar: Thurs 15th Nov at 7:00 PM

2007-11-14T22:36:00.000-08:00

Emergency in Pakistan: Formulating an International Response

Panel Discussion

**********************************************
Thursday, November 15th from 7-9pm
601C, Columbia School of Journalism

The current political crisis in Pakistan will be discussed including the
suspension of civil liberties, judicial purges, media blackout, and arrests
of over 2,000 laywers, students, human rights activists and academics. The
focus will be on the challenges facing journalists in Pakistan in particular
and how international civil and human rights actors can formulate an
effective response to the situation.

Speakers:

Robert Templer
Director of Asia Program, International Crisis Group NYC

Sami Abrahim
GEO TV NY Correspondent (Pakistan's premier news channel which has been off
the air since the imposition of emergency)

Kiran Khalid
Freelance broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker of "We Are Not
Free," about media censorship in Pakistan.

Questions related to the event can be directed to Tabinda Khan
( tmk2107@columbia.edu).

Senator John Kerry and Senator Jo Biden Resolution for Pakistan

2007-11-13T23:06:00.000-08:00

Nov8, 2007: Washington, DC -- Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs, which includes Pakistan, and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) today introduced a resolution, urging President Musharraf to end Pakistan’s state of emergency and reinstate the Constitution.

“It is important to send a strong message to Pakistan that we will hold them to their word when it comes to getting back on the path to civilian democracy,” said Sen. Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East and South and Central Asian Affairs. “The Resolution I have introduced with Senator Biden today provides a real incentive for General Musharaff to restore the rule of law and move forward with crucial democratic reforms while preserving our core interest in fighting terrorists in Pakistan.”

Below is the text of the Kerry-Biden resolution:

Expressing the Sense of the Senate on the declaration of a state of emergency in Pakistan.

Whereas, a democratic, stable, and prosperous Pakistan that is a full and reliable partner in the struggle against Al Qaeda and the Taliban and a responsible steward of its nuclear weapons and technology is a vital national security interest of the United States and essential to combating international terrorism;

Whereas, General Pervez Musharraf became the President of Pakistan following a military coup in October 1999;

Whereas, President Musharraf dismissed Pakistan’s Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on March 9, 2007, resulting in massive street protests and a unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Pakistan to clear him of any wrongdoing and reinstate him on July 20, 2007;

Whereas, the Government of Pakistan announced on September 18, 2007 that if re-elected president, General Musharraf would resign his position as Chief of the Army by November 15, 2007;

Whereas, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, called this announcement “a clear reflection of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s firm belief in democracy.”;

Whereas, an amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan allowing President Musharraf to hold the Government of Pakistan’s top civilian and military leadership positions expires on December 31, 2007;

Whereas, President Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto conducted extensive negotiations on a power-sharing arrangement that would allow Ms. Bhutto to return to Pakistan and lead the Pakistan People’s Party in parliamentary elections scheduled for January 15, 2008;
Whereas, President Musharraf was elected to another term by the parliament of Pakistan on October 6, 2007;

Whereas, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has been reviewing the constitutionality of this election and intended to issue a ruling in November 2007;

Whereas, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan on September 10, 2007, and was immediately forced to leave the country in contradiction of a ruling by the Supreme Court;

Whereas, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan on October 18, 2007 after more than eight years in exile, and was immediately targeted in a suicide bombing by extremists that left at least 140 people dead and over 500 injured in Karachi, Pakistan;

Whereas, on August 10, 2007, United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice personally requested that President Musharraf refrain from suspending the Constitution, and on November 1, 2007 again reiterated to President Musharraf U.S. opposition to any “extra-constitutional” measures;

Whereas, over the past six years the United States has provided more than $10 billion in aid to Pakistan, of which approximately 60% was Coalition Support Funds designed to reimburse Pakistan for counter-terrorism efforts, 15% was for security assistance to the military, 15% was for general budget support, and approximately 10% was for humanitarian assistance; and

Whereas, Admiral William Fallon, the senior U.S. military commander in the Middle East and Southwest Asia, advised General Musharraf on November 2, 2007 that emergency rule might place that aid at risk;

Whereas, on November 3, 2007, General Musharraf, in his role as Chief of the Army, declared a state of emergency, suspended the Constitution, dismissed Pakistan’s Chief Justice Chaudhry, and initiated a nation-wide crackdown on political opposition, the media, and the courts of Pakistan resulting in the arrest of over one thousand political opponents;

Whereas, the White House declared that imposition of emergency rule was “deeply disturbing,” and Secretary of State Rice said that the United States would “have to review the situation with aid” in light of these developments.

Whereas, on November 7, 2007, President George W. Bush spoke with President Musharraf and conveyed the message that “we believe strongly in elections, and that you ought to have elections soon, and you need to take off your uniform.”

Whereas, on November 8, 2007, the Government of Pakistan announced that parliamentary elections would be held by February 15, 2008, and that President Musharraf would relinquish his position as Chief of the Army prior to being sworn in as President.

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate—

(1) to condemn the decision by President Musharraf to declare a state of emergency, suspend the Constitution, dismiss the Supreme Court, and initiate a nation-wide crackdown on political opposition, the media, and the courts;

(2) to call on President Musharraf to revoke the state of emergency, respect the rule of law and immediately release political detainees, restore the Constitution, freedom of the press and judicial independence, and reinstate all dismissed members of the Supreme Court;

(3) to call upon President Musharraf to honor his commitment to relinquish his position as Chief of the Army, allow free and fair parliamentary elections in accordance with the schedule mandated by the Constitution, establish an independent commission to guarantee that such elections are free and fair, and permit full and unfettered independent monitoring of such elections;

(4) that the Government of the United States should provide whatever assistance is necessary to facilitate such free and fair elections, including by supporting independent election monitoring organizations and efforts;

(5) to call upon the Government of Pakistan to conduct a full investigation into the attempted assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto and provide her and other political leaders with all necessary security to ensure their personal safety; and

(6) that United States military assistance to Pakistan should be subjected to careful review, and that assistance for the purchase of certain weapons systems not directly related to the fight against Al Qaeda and the Taliban should be suspended if President Musharraf does not revoke the state of emergency and restore the Constitution, relinquish his position as Chief of the Army, and allow for free and fair elections to be held in accordance with the announced timeframe.

full resolution

Harvard Law School: Medal of Freedom for Chief Justice of Pakistan

2007-11-13T22:37:00.000-08:00

Pakistani chief justice to receive Harvard Law School 'Medal of Freedom'
November 13, 2007

Following last week's military crackdown in Pakistan and the detention of hundreds of lawyers, the Harvard Law School Association has decided to award Pakistani Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry its highest honor: The Harvard Law School Medal of Freedom.

Chaudhry was detained after he convened the Pakistani Supreme Court to declare the current state of emergency imposed by General Pervez Musharraf to be null and void.

Although Chaudhry has been placed under house arrest and is not free to leave Pakistan, Dean Elena Kagan has reached out to the chief justice regarding the award and hopes that he'll be able to come to the Law School to receive it when the state of emergency is lifted. full story

"As lawyers who value freedom and the rule of law, we at Harvard Law School want Chief Justice Chaudhry and all of the courageous lawyers in Pakistan to know that we stand with them in solidarity," said Kagan. "We are proud to be their colleagues in the cause of justice, and we will do all we can to press for the prompt restoration of constitutionalism and legality in Pakistan."

Hundreds of lawyers and other critics of Musharraf have been detained since the emergency rule was established more than a week ago. HLS graduates and practicing lawyers in Pakistan Babar Sattar LL.M. '02 and Tariq Hassan LL.M. '76 S.J.D. '80 have spoken out in protest of the suspension of the constitution.

To raise awareness and further promote discussion about the events in Pakistan, the Harvard South Asia Initiative will be hosting campus-wide events on Friday, November 16.

The Medal of Freedom was established by Harvard Law School to honor the achievements of individuals who have worked to uphold the legal system’s fundamental commitment to freedom, justice, and equality. To symbolize this commitment, the award bears the image of Charles Hamilton Houston, whose leadership of the crusade that culminated in the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education exemplifies the highest ideals of our democracy.

Past recipients of the Medal of Freedom include the members of the Brown v. Board of Education litigation team and former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Boston Seminar: Friday 16th Nov 2007

2007-11-13T22:22:00.000-08:00

Friday, November 16th

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Thompson Room,
Barker Center 12 Quincy Street,

Cambridge, MA 02138

Click here for a map.

Keynote Address by:

Ayesha Jalal
Mary Richardson Professor of History, Tufts University,

MacArthur Fellow (1998-2003)

and Author, “Partisans of Allah: Jihad in South Asia”

on Pakistan At 60

Asad Ahmed
Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Harvard Universityon
on Law and Emergency

Asim Khwaja
Associate Professor of Public Policy,
Kennedy School of Government
on Education and Politics

Richard Wolf
Professor of Music, Harvard University on Music and Culture

This symposium will illuminate different facets of Pakistan and address the contemporary crisis.
Click here for the event poster.

New York: Sunday 18th Nov 2007 - NY Students and Salman Ahmed

2007-11-13T21:56:00.000-08:00

New York Students' Pakistan Action Committee
Asia-American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights (ANAA),
Members of Pakistani community in New York and the tristate area,
and, friends of Pakistan,

EHTIJAJ

Featuring
Salman Ahmad (Junoon)

PROTEST AGAINST MARTIAL LAW IN PAKISTAN
OUTSIDE UN PLAZA, NEW YORK

Sunday, November 18, 2007
1:00pm - 3:00pm

Location: UN Head Quarters, First Avenue at 46th Street
Subway: 42nd St.-Grand Central (4,5,6,7,S)

NY Students' Pakistan Action Committee is a coalition of students across NY Universities.

Maryam (CUNY): 857-383-8047
Bilal (Columbia University): 917-476-6267

Press Release

NY Seminar: Sunday 18th Nov at 1:00 PM

2007-11-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

Doctors For Democracy and Justice Seminar:

Pakistan main Aeen and Jumhooriat ki Pamaali-Ek lamhae fikr (Trampling of Constitution and Justice in Pakistan.)

The rapidly worsening political and constitutional limbo in Pakistan is a great cause of concern for all the Pakistanis. Never before, Pakistan has seen such a blatant violation of its constitution and the political process. In order to be better inform ourselves and the rest of the Pakistani American community, Doctors for Democracy, a Pakistani American Physicians group in collaboration with Coney Island Avenue Project, will hold a seminar in Little Pakistan, the Midwood section of Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn NY. Speakers, experts in their respective fields, will highlight the assault on Judiciary, journalists and the political process.

Invited Speakers include Dr. Manzur Ejaz, Hassan Abbas and Rana Ramzan.

Arrangements are being made to have telephone address by leading resistance activists form Pakistan

The program will start at 1 PM on Sunday November 18th at Ziafat ( previous Bukhara Restaurant) 786 Coney Island Avenue Midwood NY 11230. Tel 718-287-7011. It will continue till 5 PM.

Endorsement: Pakistani American Advocates for Civil and Human Rights (PAACHR), Asian-American Network against Abuse of Human Rights (ANAA), Association of Pakistani Physicians for Democracy and Justice (APPJD), Pak-American Freedom Forum. The seminar is endorsed by representatives of the political parties: Sarwar Chaudhry (Pakistan Peoples Party) Rana Saeed (PML-N), Taj Akbar (ANP).

Doctors for Democracy calls for immediate end of the Emergency, restoration of full democracy, supremacy of law, respect for the civil and human rights and protection and upholding of the National Sovereignty from foreign and external interference in the political spectrum.

For further information, please contact Dr. Abdul Majeed (516) 655-4134) Dr. Qazi K.Haider (516) 225-7852, Dr. Faheem Butt (516) 410-1507, Dr. Nasir Gondal (917) 860-0808 and Ahsahullah Khan Bobby of Coney Island Avenue Project (917) 440-9002

US Rallies and Program Archive

2007-11-13T21:29:00.000-08:00

East Coast:

BOSTON, MA
Boston Seminar: Friday 16th Nov 2007
Boston Rally: Saturday 10th Nov 2007
Boston Rally: Tuesday 13 Nov

New York, NY
New York: Sunday 18th Nov 2007
New York: Sunday 18th Nov 2007 - Salman Ahmed (Junoon)
NY Seminar: Thurs 15th Nov 2007
New York: Wednesday 14th Nov 2007
New York: Tuesday 13 Nov 2007
New York: Friday 9th Nov 2007
New York NY: Monday 5th Nov 2007 - Rally in response to emergency in Pakistan
New York NY: Saturday 3rd Nov 2007 - Response to Emergency in Pakistan

Washington, DC
Washington DC Rally: Saturday 17th Nov 2007
Washington DC Briefing: Friday 16th Nov 2007
Washington DC Area: Friday 9th Nov 2007 - Rally in response to emergency in Pakistan
Washington DC Area: Sunday 21st Oct 2007 - Plight of People of Sindh
Washington DC: Sunday 11th Nov 2007

MID-WEST

Chicago, IL
Chicago Rally: Monday 19th Nov 2007
Chicago Seminar: Friday 16th Nov 2007
Chicago Rally: Sunday 11th Nov 2007

WEST COAST

Los angeles, CA
Los Angeles: Friday 9th Nov 2007
Los Angeles: Saturday 10 Nov 2007

San Francisco, CA
San Francisco: Saturday 10th Nov 2007

NY Rally: Wednesday 14 Nov 2007 at 12:00 PM

2007-11-13T20:27:00.000-08:00

Please come join our student protest outside the Consulate General of Pakistan (NY) this Wednesday, November 14, 2007, at 12 pm sharp. Wethink it's imperative to protest the gross violations of human rightsthat have escalated over the past weeks, and continue protesting,until there is a restoration of democracy. Let's show solidarity withthe students, lawyers and citizens of Pakistan.

Who we are: South Asian Law Student Association, CUNY School of Law

Contact: Maryam Arif: (857) 383-8047; maryam.arif@mail.law.cuny.edu
Beena Ahmad: (917) 806-1997; beena.ahmad@mail.law.cuny.edu

When: Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Time: 12 pm
Where: Consulate General of Pakistan, NY
12 E. 65th Street (between Madison & 5th Ave)

Bring placards, banners and posters, strongly denouncing Musharraf's"Emergency" in Pakistan.

Spread the word – bring your friends and family!

Justice for the Judiciary
Free speech for the Media
Human Rights for All

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY) Warns Musharraf

2007-11-12T22:42:00.001-08:00

Congresswoman Nita M. "Lowey is currently serving her tenth term in Congress. Lowey has been described as "courageous" by The New York Times, "terrific" by Newsday, and one of "New York's key Members of Congress" by the New York Daily News. The Journal News called Lowey "one of the most influential Members of Congress." She is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where she serves as Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and the House Homeland Security Committee." Shaheryar Azhar, moderator, The Forum

Nov 2007: WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland), Chair of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, today released the following statement condemning President Pervez Musharraf's effective house arrest of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, mass arrests, and continued violent crackdown, and warned him that his actions threaten to make a restructuring of aid to Pakistan inevitable.

"Continued mass arrests constitute a dangerous escalation of President Musharraf's deliberate and calculated clampdown on Pakistani civil society. President Musharraf's desperate tactics to preserve his own power come at the expense of the Pakistani people and inhibit his ability to be an effective partner in the war on terror. His continued arrests, imprisonments, and suppression of civil society are threatening to bring the situation quickly to a point of no return.

"Unless there is an immediate halt to President Musharraf's crackdown and a dramatic reversal in course, the restructuring of foreign assistance to Pakistan by the U.S. Congress will become inevitable. I call on the Administration to suspend immediately cash transfers to Pakistan until President Musharraf ceases his violent crackdown. Once again, I call on Musharraf to free the political prisoners that he has arrested, to restore the Constitution and independent judiciary, and to release his stranglehold on Pakistani civil society. Failure to take these steps immediately is sure to come at a steep cost."

Nov 11 2007: Boston Rally Coverage

2007-11-12T21:45:00.000-08:00

By Anna Badkhen Globe Correspondent / November 11, 2007

Pakistan's political discontent spilled onto the chilly sidewalks of Boston Common yesterday, when dozens of Pakistani students and professionals protested President Pervez Musharraf's recent sweeping crackdown on lawyers, human rights activists, and political opponents.

Dressed in traditional black choga mourning dresses and wearing red armbands to signify protest and blood, the demonstrators demanded that Musharraf end the state of emergency he has imposed. They also criticized the US government for supporting Pakistan's president, widely considered a key ally in Washington's war against Islamic terrorism.

"Musharraf is fooling the American government that he is the only solution to terrorism, but he is destroying institutions of democracy," said Aslam Khaki, a Pakistani Supreme Court lawyer visiting the United States on a Fulbright scholarship.

"He has been able to present himself as the only thing standing between democracy and extremism," said Aqil Sajjad, 28, an Islamabad native and a postgraduate physics student at Harvard. "But people who are being targeted are not extremists."

At least 2,500 lawyers, human rights activists, and opposition political party workers have been arrested since Musharraf introduced emergency rule and suspended the constitution on Nov. 3. Several of them were family friends of Fawza Wali Khan, one of the organizers of yesterday's protest and a psychiatrist at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center of Boston.

"We are against arresting the intelligentsia in Pakistan," said Khan.

"If they arrest all the lawyers, who will fight for restoration of democracy?" asked Lubna Mahmood, 37, whose brother, a corporate lawyer in Lahor, was detained for several hours last week. He was released only because the holding cells in the police precinct were full, said Mahmood, a Boston resident who carried a hand-drawn sign that read: "Free Our Lawyers."

The White House has urged Musharraf to end emergency rule and to cooperate with Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister and opposition leader.

The Bush administration has encouraged Musharraf to drop charges against Bhutto in hopes that a broader base of support would help the general, who is criticized by pro-Western Pakistanis and religious extremists, to stay in power.

The only road to true democracy in Pakistan lies through electing a popular president who would replace Musharraf, the protesters on Boston Common said yesterday.

"No, Musharraf, no!" they chanted, dancing to an intricate rhythm of tabla drums and tambourines. "Save democracy, not hypocrisy!"

ANAA Activist Faints during Hunger Strike

2007-11-12T18:17:00.000-08:00

Prominent member of the Pakistani Community in New York, and active memberof ANAA, who observed the hunger strike on November 9th, against the present imposed emergency rule in Pakistan by Dictator Musharraf in frontof the Pakistani Consulate in New York was got fainted at the end of the day due to dehydration and cold, she bean taken to the hospital and treated, pleas give her applaud and support on her courage full act

Read The Nation Report

Washington DC: Saturday Nov 17 at 2:00 PM

2007-11-12T16:55:00.000-08:00

PML (N) USA is holding a mass protest in front of White House on Saturday November 17, 2007 at 2 PM. All are requested to attend and show solidarity with the people of Pakistan and Judiciary (Bar & Bench) in particular.

For further information please contact Rana Saeed, General Secretary PML (N) USA at 718-696-8683. Thanks

Rohail Dar
President, PML (N) USA

Washington DC Rally: Sunday 11 Nov 2007

2007-11-11T22:48:00.000-08:00

Boston Rally: Tuesday Nov 13 2007

2007-11-10T01:16:00.000-08:00

NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD,
Massachusetts Chapter, Inc.
14 Beacon St., Suite 407, Boston, MA 02108

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:
Judy Somberg, Attorney
Executive Vice President
National Lawyers Guild
617-497-5364

Urszula Masny-Latos, Executive Director
National Lawyers Guild Massachusetts Chapter
617-227-7335

DEMONSTRATIONS IN SOLIDARITY WITH
LAWYERS IN PAKISTAN

Boston, Nov. 9, 2007. The National Lawyers Guild is organizing demonstrations in cities with
Pakistani Consulates – Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles -- on Tuesday, November 13, 2007.

We stand in solidarity with lawyers in Pakistan, who have been beaten and jailed for opposing the suspension of constitutional rights in their country.

Boston demonstration:
State House
Beacon St.
1:00 p.m.

On November 3, Pakistan President Musharraf issued an emergency declaration, Provisional
Constitutional Order No. 1 of 2007, which suspends Pakistan's Constitution. This declaration
includes suspension of the right to life and liberty, freedom of speech, assembly and association,
and equal protection of the law, all of which are guaranteed by the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights.

Pakistan’s Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry is being held under house arrest. Over
2,500 lawyers in different parts of Pakistan, including the President of the Supreme Court Bar
Association and officials of the Democratic Lawyers Association of Pakistan, have been
detained.

We demand the immediate release of all those detained after the declaration of a "state of
emergency," the immediate reinstatement of the Supreme Court and Provincial High Courts, the immediate revocation of the Provisional Constitution Order and the scheduling of fair and free general elections monitored by international observers.

Senator Jo Biden: A True Friend of Pakistani People

2007-11-09T23:54:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC – Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) called today for a new U.S. approach to Pakistan.

Sen. Biden argued that while Pakistan has a strong moderate majority, if that majority is denied a voice in the system and free and fair elections, it could be forced to make common cause with fundamentalists, as the Shah's opponents did in Iran three decades ago.

“To prevent that nightmare from becoming a reality, I believe we need to do three things. First, deal pro-actively with the current crisis. Second, and for the longer term, move from a Musharraf policy to a Pakistan policy that gives the moderate majority a chance to succeed. And third, help create conditions in the region that maximize the chances of success, and minimize the prospects for failure," said Senator Biden.

“To help defuse the current political crisis, we must be far more pro-active, not reactive and make it clear to Pakistan that actions have consequences,” said Sen. Biden. “President Bush’s first reaction was to call on President Musharraf to reverse course. Given the stakes, I thought it was important to actually call him – which is exactly what I did. I also spoke to opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Sen. Biden believes we must beyond this transaction relationship – the exchange of aid for services – to the normal, functional relationship we enjoy with all of our other military allies and friendly nations.

“We’ve got to move from a policy concentrated on one man – President Musharraf – to a policy centered on an entire people, the people of Pakistan,” said Sen. Biden.

Sen. Biden proposes a new U.S. approach to Pakistan rooted in four-parts:

1. The U.S. must triple non-security aid, to $1.5 billion annually for at least a decade. This aid would be unconditioned. It would be the U.S.’s pledge to the Pakistani people. Instead of funding military hardware, it would build schools, clinics, and roads.

2. The U.S. must condition security aid on performance. We should base our security aid on clear results. The U.S. is now spending well over $1 billion annually, and it’s not clear we’re getting our money’s worth.

3. The U.S. must help Pakistan enjoy a “democracy dividend.” The first year of democratic rule should bring an additional $1 billion – above the $1.5 billion non-security aid baseline. Sen. Biden supports tying future non-security aid – again, above the guaranteed baseline – to Pakistan’s progress in developing democratic institutions and meeting good-governance norms.

4. The U.S. must engage the Pakistani people, not just their rulers. This will involve everything from improved public diplomacy and educational exchanges to high impact projects that actually change people’s lives.

“In addition, a “democracy dividend” – additional assistance in the first year after democratic rule is restored – would empower Pakistan’s moderate mainstream.

And it would enable the secular, democratic, civilian political leaders to prove that they—more than the generals or the radical Islamists—can bring real improvement to the lives of their constituents,” said Sen. Biden

Redoubling our efforts in Afghanistan – not just with more troops but with the right kind, and with a reconstruction effort that matches President Bush’s Marshall Plan rhetoric would embolden Pakistan’s government to take a harder line on the Taliban and Al Qaeda,” said Sen. Biden.

“All this talk of war with Iran, however, is totally counter-productive to achieving our ends in Iran – but also in Pakistan. In Iran, it allows President Ahmadinejad to distract the Iranian people from the failures of his leadership and adds a huge security premium to the price of oil, with the proceeds going from our consumers to Iran’s government. And in Pakistan and also Afghanistan, anything that fuels the sense of an American crusade against Islam puts moderates on the defensive and empowers extremists.

“History may describe today’s Pakistan as a repeat of 1979 Iran or 2001 Afghanistan. Or history may write a very different story: that of Pakistan as a stable, democratic, secular Muslim state. Which future unfolds will be strongly influenced—if not determined— by the actions of the United States. I believe that Pakistan can be a bridge between the West and the global Islamic community.

click here

Chicago Rally: Sunday Nov 11 at 1:30 PM

2007-11-09T18:50:00.001-08:00

For people in CHICAGO,

please come out to the first peaceful protest planned against the state of emergency.
Venue: Pakistan Consulate ( 333 N Michigan Avenue)
Date: Sunday, November 11
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm

Contact: Bilal Kidwai 616-617-1613and Mustafa Mahmood 410-487-4800

Washington DC: Sunday 11th Nov at 1:00 PM

2007-11-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

Local students and Pakistani's who care are organizing a peaceful protest:

at the Pakistan Embassy in DC
on Sunday 11/11 at 1 : 00 PM.

They have received the police permit and I encourage all of us to show up and help establish that us Pakistanis in USA are not happy with the state of political affairs in Pakistan

San Francisco Rally: Saturday Nov 10 at 2:00PM

2007-11-09T17:42:00.000-08:00

Rally Photos: click here

SAY NO TO MARTIAL LAW IN PAKISTAN!

STOP U.S. SUPPORT OF MILITARY RULE!

Join us in front of San Francisco City Hall, Polk St.
(between Grove and MacAllister)

Saturday, November 10th, 2 pm

Since 2nd November 2007, in Pakistan:

General Musharraf has declared a state of Emergency
Fundamental Rights of all citizens have been suspended
Hundreds of lawyers, human rights activists, judges, including 8 justices of the Supreme Court have been arrested

All independent news channels have gone off the air
US State Department has reiterated that General Musharraf is an "indispensable ally in the war against terror"

In face of severe government repression, thousands of Pakistanis still continue to defy orders, organize public rallies and resist the military rule

Stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan! Come to the rally on Saturday to demand:

* An Immediate end to martial law in Pakistan

* End to US support of military dictatorship

* Restoration of judiciary

* Unconditional Release of all political prisoners

* Reinstatement of the constitution

* Ending all curbs on news media

Friends of South Asia ( www.friendsofsouthasia.org )
Tehreek-e-Insaf ( www.moveforjustice.org )

A.N.S.W.E.R. ( www.answersf.org)
CodePink (http://www.codepink4peace.org/)
South Bay Mobilization (http://www.southbaymobilization.org/ )
San Jose Peace Center (http://www.sanjosepeace.org/)
Peninsula Peace and Justice Center (http://www.peaceandjustice.org/)
Pakistan Muslim League (N) (http://www.pmln.org/)
Silicon Valley Pakistani American Community (http://www.svpac.org/)

and other endorsing organizations...

Boston Rally: Saturday Nov 10 at 11:00 PM

2007-11-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

PROTEST RALLY

DATE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, 2007
TIME:11 AM VENUE:BOSTON COMMON..(near park st t-station)

BOSTON PROTESTS THE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN THE ARREST OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS......OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES THE ARREST OF LAWYERS AND JUDGES.........OUR JUDICIAL LIBERTIES THE BANNING OF ELECTRONIC AND PRINT MEDIA.....FREEDOM OF PRESS

Senator Jo Biden on Pakistan

2007-11-08T23:10:00.000-08:00

Nov 5: Senator Jo Biden (D) Chair of Foreign Relation Committee warns General Musharraf of consequences.

HRCP on Arrested Advocate Jawed Iqbal Burki

2007-11-08T23:04:00.001-08:00

PRESS RELEASE

HRCP is deeply concerned about the health and life of its Advocate, Mr. Jawed Iqbal Burqi

November 09, 2007 Karachi: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is deeply concerned about the life and health of its Advocate, Mr. Jawed Iqbal Burqi who was arrested on November 4, 2007 from his residence in Nazimabad and kept detained in Nazimabad Police Station for two days and later transferred to Central Jail, Karachi on November 6, 2007. Mr. Burqi who got injured in the stampede after the suicidal bomb attacks on Ms. Benazir Bhutto's Caravan in Karachi, requires necessary medicines immediately but neither the family members nor the colleagues of Mr. Burqi are being allowed to see him and to provide him necessary medicines in the jail.

HRCP notes with grave concern that since November 03, 2007, thousands of judges, journalists, lawyers, politicians and activists of civil society have been detained and police have been given wide powers to use force with impunity to suppress public demonstrations.

HRCP warns that targeting innocent people, further isolating the population from news, suspending community access to justice and repressing legitimate dissent would only create resentment, encourage extremism and exacerbate insecurity.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan strongly reiterates its demand that Mr. Jawed Iqbal Burqi Advocate and all other lawyers, journalists, political and human rights activists arrested all over the country must immediately be released unconditionally.

HRCP also demands that the proclamation of November 3 and all actions taken under it be withdrawn and cancelled forthwith.

Zohra Yusuf
Vice Chairperson,
Sindh Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Solidarity Vigil/ New York Rally: Tuesday Nov 13

2007-11-08T22:15:00.001-08:00

From President of the New York City Bar Association Barry Kamins

As an expression of solidarity with our beleaguered colleagues at the Pakistani bar, the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the New York County Lawyers' Association, in conjunction with other organizations, invite you to attend a public rally in front of the

New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street
on Tuesday, November 13,
from 1:00-1:30 p.m.

The crude and brutal suspension of law and the legal system in Pakistan, and the repression of judges and lawyers there, require that we take a moment from our own busy schedules and demonstrate our concern.

Because the images from Pakistan show the violent repression of Pakistani lawyers wearing their customary dark suit and white shirt, we request that you appear on Tuesday in similar attire, though this is not required. What is important is a strong show of support.

We hope to see you there.

Co-sponsored by Amnesty International

Closest trains: J, M, Z, 1, 2, 3, A, C to Chambers 4, 5, 6, R, W to City Hall

Background
Acting in his capacity as army chief of staff, General Musharraf suspended the bulk of the constitution, acquired powers to amend it without any parliamentary procedure and proclaimed a Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).

This order prohibits any court issuing an order against the President, Prime Minister or any person exercising powers under their authority. Under the order, existing members of the superior judiciary are effectively suspended until they take a new oath to uphold the PCO. Only five of 17 Supreme Court Justices have taken the oath. Many Supreme Court and Provincial High Court Justices are now effectively under house arrest.

These measures came on the eve of a Supreme Court hearing to rule on petitions contesting General Musharraf's eligibility to contest presidential elections held on October 6. Lawyers who were counsels in the petitions including President of the Supreme Court bar association Aitzaz Ahsan, Ali Ahmed Kurd, Munir A. Malik and retired Justice Tariq Mahmood were immediately arrested. These lawyers had been leading a movement to uphold the independence of the judiciary since President Musharraf suspended the former Chief Justice of Pakistan on March 9.

Amnesty International considers the military crackdown in Pakistan to represent a direct assault on international law and human rights standards enshrined in the country's own constitution. Amnesty International calls for the immediate return to constitutional rule and the release of many hundreds of people detained under the current measures. Bypassing the constitution's provisions in declaring a state of emergency, General Musharraf suspended the right not to be arbitrarily deprived of life, as well as key elements of the right to a fair trial. Under international law and human rights standards--enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan--these rights must be fully and unconditionally respected in all circumstances, whether or not a public emergency exists.

Amnesty International fears that this assault on key institutions of accountability, combined with sweeping emergency powers, will exacerbate existing patterns of human rights abuse, including torture and other ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and use of excessive force to suppress peaceful dissent.

Matthew Kennis
Northeast Regional OfficeAmnesty International
212-633-4169

"In a democratic society, some are guilty, but indeed all are responsible."

NY Rally: Friday 9th Nov at 4:00PM

2007-11-08T21:50:00.000-08:00

PEACEFUL ANTI - EMERGENCY PROTEST IN FRONT OF PAKISTAN CONSULATE

Various groups of Pakistani-Americans and other human rights & peace organizations including ANAA , Tehrik-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League ( N) ,Students from Columbia NY & other groups will hold a peaceful demonstration to protest against the Martial Law in Pakistan. All pro-democracy and peace loving people are urged to assemble and voice their concern against the atrocities against judiciary,lawyers, HR activists and above all the people of Pakistan Program:

Venue: Pakistan Consulate at 65th and Fifth Avenue
Date: Friday November 09, 2007
Time: 4:00 to 5:00 pm.

Protest Hunger strike: 11:00am to 5:00 PM.

A call to all concerned.Please get to the Pakistan Consulate at 65th and Fifth Avenue

NOVEMBER 09, 2007, at 4:00 PM.

Los angeles Rally: Saturday 10th Nov 2 PM

2007-11-08T21:48:00.000-08:00

PROTEST RALLY PPP

California along with other organizations is arranging a'Protest Rally' against the imposition of Emergency in Pakistan byGeneral Musharaf. The rally will be in front of Pakistan Consulateon

Saturday 10th November 2007 between 2 pm and 5 pm.

You are requested to attend the rally and express your opinion.The protest material will be available at the location.This is high time for us living in USA to express our opinion.

Location:Across the Street fromConsulates General of Pakistan10850 Wilshire Blvd # 1100Los Angeles, CA 90024

Date: Saturday November 10, 2007
Time: 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us:

Sani Panhwar (Member Sindh Council PPP) 310-350-7816Adnan Shafiq (Acting President PPP California) 951-454-0795Farhan Shafiq (Coordinator West Coast PPP) 951-454-0935

Los Angeles Rally: Friday Nov 9 - 2:30 PM

2007-11-08T21:45:00.000-08:00

Protect Human Rights in PAKISTAN

FRIDAY NOV 9

Time: 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Location : Pakistan Consulate

10850 Wilshire Blvd (intersection- Malcolm and Wilshire) ,

Los Angeles, CA 90024

(2 BLOCKS EAST OF THE 405 FREEWAY IN WESTWOOD )

-End the violence and abuse against the people of Pakistan

-Free all activists, lawyers, judges and others detained since the

declaration of state of emergency

-Stop feeding the dictatorship in Pakistan that continues to violate
human rights.

For more info:

Bokhari (310) 918-4427, Mazhar (310) 293-2557, Arsal (310) 908-3810,
Hamid (562) 230-4578

PFUJ to Protest Ban on Media

2007-11-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

PFUJ to go ahead with protest plan

Press Release

ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 : Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), decided to goahead with countrywide "Black Day," call on Friday, after 45-minutes meeting with the government over the withdrawal of anti-Press Ordinances, resumption of tv channels and FM, remained inconclusive, says in a PFUJ Press Release.

PFUJ delegation led by its President Huma Ali, put forward four demands during a meeting with the Federal Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani and Secretary Information Anwar Mahmood. These includes withdrawal of the two amended Ordinances against print and electronic media, resumption of tv news channels and FM-radio, action against police officials responsible for manhandling of journalists, withdrawal of notices against two newspapers under PPO-2007, and immediate appointment of the Chairman Implementation Tribunal for Newspapers Employees.

After the meeting PFUJ decided to go ahead with their protest including "Black Day," on Friday, boycott of officials functions, protest camps from Nov 14 to 17, Global Action Day, on Nov 15 and countrywide protest rallies and demonstration on Nov 20.

PFUJ leaders were of the opinion that if government has any problem with any channel or newspaper, legal remedy is available in the existing law of the land and even in the origional PEMRA Ordinance, but the recent curbs on the meda apparently looked malafide. It also appeared that the government may want to go into general elections with control media.

PFUJ delegation also expressed concern over the way journalists and cameramen were prevented from performing their professional duties and many were detained, their cameras were snatched and worst happened in Karachi, where they were produced in the court with handcuffed like terrorists or criminals.

PFUJ leaders said they always support responsinsble journalism and also code of ethics, but its upto the media bodies to decide and implement such code and government can't force them. They said struggle for the implementation of the 7th Wage Award, is essential part of their struggle and it is the responsibility of the government to get law of the land implemented and appoint chairman of ITNE, without further delay.

However, PFUJ rejected government policy of trying to divide the media by putting those news channels on air, who have signed the code. They also criticised those channels, who they believe have "taken oath under PCO."

The delegation which also includes Secretary General, Mazhar Abbas, Senior Vice-President Ms Fauzia Shahid, RIUJ President Afzal Butt and General Secretary, Ashfaq Sajjid announced that unless their above mentioned demands are not met their struggle will continue.

Minister Durrani said, government respect journalists views and government will give serious consideration to the proposals. He said, government is committed to the freedom of the Press, but believe in responsible journalism.
However, PFUJ rejected government policy of trying to divide the media by putting those news channels on air, who have signed the code. They also criticised those channels, who they believe have "taken oath under PCO."
The delegation which also includes Secretary General, Mazhar Abbas, Senior Vice-President Ms Fauzia Shahid, RIUJ President Afzal Butt and General Secretary, Ashfaq Sajjid announced that unless their above mentioned demands are not met their struggle will continue.

Regards,

Mazhar Abbas,
Secretary General, PFUJ
9.11.07

PFUJ website click here

AHRC on Arrests Without Criminal Procedures

2007-11-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission

PAKISTAN: EMERGENCY - "Arrest" without criminal procedure and functioning courts is abduction

Since the government of General Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, suspended the constitution and blacked out the media on November 3, it has launched a massive operation to detain virtually anyone deemed a threat to military authority, making plain its real plans for the immediate future. The scale and scope of the detentions are unprecedented in the history of Pakistan, even with its atrocious record of dictators and intolerance of dissent.

So far, after some three days of protests and efforts to resist the latest takeover, about 3500 lawyers, 500 human rights defenders, 100 political workers, 46 judges--including the chief justice--and 12 journalists are among those known to have been held. Some have been taken under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance but most have been taken from the streets and their houses without serving notice of arrest or giving any reference to law whatsoever. The judges of superior courts have been literally locked inside their residences and told that they will be kept there until they agree to cooperate. They have had their phone lines cut and are being isolated from the outside world to force compliance.

Under the normal course of law if anybody is taken into custody by the police, be it on the street, at home or elsewhere, it is considered "arrest" because a procedure exists by which the case is documented, the person informed of the reasons for which they have been held, and within 24 hours they must be brought before a court of law where the arrestee has the right to challenge detention and if it is upheld, to seek bail.

But today in Pakistan the courts have been stopped from functioning by the state of emergency, the suspension of the constitution and the fact that dozens of judges and hundreds of lawyers are among those in custody. Thus no means exist to enforce criminal procedure or uphold fundamental rights by way of a legal challenge to arrest.

Under these circumstances, the "arrest" of these thousands of persons in Pakistan cannot be considered anything of the sort. Like the pretext for the state of emergency itself, the arrests are a fraud.

The Asian Human Rights Commission strongly supports the statement by the UN Secretary General for the government of Pakistan to release all the detainees immediately, and in addition it calls upon the United Nations and governments around the world to treat these persons as abducted, by force and contrary to law. It also calls for the immediate withdrawal of security forces from around the houses of judges and restoration of the courts, in the absence of which the rights of all persons awaiting trial are being flagrantly violated. It rejects unequivocally the declaration of emergency and stands unreservedly with all persons in Pakistan struggling to end military rule and return their country to some form of rational and civilised government. # # #

About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

click here for the link

Asma Jehangir Appeal to Support Arrested Lawyers

2007-11-08T05:44:00.000-08:00

Appeal for support to lawyers and judges in Pakistan

I am fortunate to be under house arrest while my colleagues are suffering. The Musharaf government has declared martial law to settle scores with lawyers and judges. While the terrorists remain on the loose and continue to occupy more space in Pakistan, senior lawyers are being tortured.

The civil society of Pakistan urges bar associations all over the world to mobilize public opinion in favor of the judges and lawyers in Pakistan. A large number of judges of superior courts are under arrest. Thousands of lawyers are imprisoned, beaten and tortured.

In particular the cases of Muneer A Malik, Aitzaz Ahsan, Tariq Mahmood and Ali Ahmed Kurd are serious. Muneer A Malik, the former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and leader of the lawyers’ movement has been shifted to the notorious Attack Fort. He is being tortured and is under the custody of the military intelligence. Tariq Mahmood, former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, was imprisoned in Adiala jail. No one was allowed to see him and it is reported that he has been shifted to an unknown place. Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd, former Vice Chair of the Pakistan Bar Council is in the custody of military intelligence and being kept at an undisclosed place. Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan, President of the Supreme Court Bar is being kept in Adiayala jail in solitary confinement.

Representatives of bar associations should approach their governments to pressure the government of Pakistan to release all lawyers and judges and immediately provide access to Muneer A Malik, Tariq Mahmood, Ali Ahmed Kurd and Aitzaz Ahsan. The bars are also urged to hold press conferences in their country and express their solidarity with the lawyers of Pakistan who are struggling to establish the rule of law.

Asma Jahngir
Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan
Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Follow HRCP Blog click here

Network with International lawyers connected with Pakistani lawyers here

NY Rally: Columbia students Press Release

2007-11-07T01:21:00.000-08:00

New York, NY -- November 5th, 2007:

We, the Pakistani students at Columbia University, members of Pakistani community in New York, and friends of Pakistan, are demonstrating to condemn the reprehensible and brazen attack on the independence of judiciary and media, and the suspension of the Constitution and fundamental rights in Pakistan by General Pervez Musharraf. We strongly protest against the imposition of Martial Law General Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan on Saturday, November 3 2007 at around 6 PM PST.

As of now the Pakistani people have no basic rights and they stand at the mercy of a brutal and an oppressive regime. They also do not have the support of the judiciary which could check the powers of the police. Bearing the brunt of these attacks are the liberal and progressive elements in the Pakistani society: judiciary, media, opposition leaders, civil society activists and academics. These acts of repression are taking place after the constitution was suspended and the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) was promulgated.

We, the undersigned, demand General Pervez Musharraf to:

1. Immediately restore the 1973 Constitution and the fundamental rights of the Pakistani people.

2. Restore the judicial system and release all the judges, lawyers, human rights activists, politicians and civil society activists who have been arrested post 2nd Nov 2007.
3. Restore the judges and autonomy of the media.

4. Strike down the draconian measures being used to curb the media’s freedom especially the ‘code of conduct’ promulgated through the Amended Press Ordinance (attached). Allow the broadcast of electronic media and remove any censorship curbs which have been imposed under the Emergency Law.

5. Hold free and fair elections to restore true democracy in Pakistan and put an end to involvement of armed forces in Pakistani Politics.We demand the basic rights in Pakistan and the return to democracy.

Text of the amended Press Ordinance

ISLAMABAD, Nov 3 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday promulgated an ordinance to amend the press, newspapers, news agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002.

Following is the text of the ordinance:

(TEXT BEGINS)
Ordinance No. LXIV of 2007

AN ORDINANCE

to amend the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002
Whereas it is expedient to amend the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books registration Ordinance, 2002, (XCVIII of 2002), for the purposes hereinafter appearing;

And Whereas the National Assembly is not in session and the circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action;

Now, Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (I) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance;-

1. Short title and commencement. (1) This Ordinance may be called the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies, and Books registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 2007.
(2) It shall come into force at once.

2. General amendment, Ordinance XCVIII of 2002. In the
Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration Ordinance, 2002 (XCVIII of 2002), hereinafter referred to as the said Ordinance, after the words "District Coordination Officer", wherever occurring, the words and commas "or, where the District Government has not come into being, the Deputy Commissioner" shall be inserted.

3. Insertion of new section 5A, Ordinance XCVIII of 2002.
In the said Ordinance, after section 5, the following new section shall be inserted, namely:-
"5A. Restriction on publication of certain material. (1) No printer, publisher or editor shall print or publish in any book, periodical or paper any material which consists of,-
(a) photographs or pictures of suicide bombers, terrorists (except as required by law enforcing agencies for purposes of investigation), bodies of victims of terrorist activities, statements and pronouncements of militants and extremist elements and any other thing which may, in any way, promote, aid or abet terrorist activities or terrorism:
(b) graphic or printed representation or projection of statements, comments, observations or pronouncement based on sectarianism, ethnicism or racialism;
(c) any material, printed or graphic, that defames, brings into ridicule or disrepute the Head of State, or members of the Armed Forces or executive, judicial or legislative organs of the State.
(d) any material that is likely jeopardize or be prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan or t he sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan;
(e) any material, photographic or in print, that is likely to incite violence or hatred or create inter-faith disorder or be prejudicial to maintenance of law and order; and
(f) any material that is in conflict with the commonly accepted standards of morality and decency and which promotes vulgarity, obscenity, and pornography."

4. Amendment of section 19, Ordinance XCVIII of 2002. In t he said ordinance, in section 19, after sub-section (2), for the full stop, at the end, a colon shall be substituted and thereafter the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
"Provided that in a situation of emergency, pending action under this section, the District Coordination Officer, or as the case may be, the Deputy Commissioner, may suspend the declaration for a period not exceeding thirty days, as deemed appropriate in the circumstances."

5. Amendment of section 44, Ordinance XCVIII of 2002. In the said Ordinance, in section 44, for the word "Government" the words "Federal Government in consultation with the Provincial Governments" shall be substituted.

GENERAL,
(PERVEZ MUSHARRAF)
PRESIDENT

Washington DC Rally: 9th Nov, 3:00PM - Infront of White House

2007-11-07T00:03:00.000-08:00

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE

FRIDAY, 9TH NOVEMBER 2007 AT 3:00 PM

Various groups of Pakistani-Americans and other human rights & peace organizations will hold a peaceful demonstration to protest against the execution of ‘Emergency Rule’ in Pakistan. The Rally would express grief and disappointment over the unfortunate situation of anarchy; terror and lawlessness in the country at the hands of the military dictator, General Musharraf.

All pro-democracy and peace loving people are urged to assemble and voice their concern against these atrocities.

Program:

Venue: Lafayette Park, in front of The White House

Date: Friday, November 09, 2007

Time: 3:00 to 4:00 pm.

The rally will then walk their way on 15th Street in front of the office of Washington Post and would end at Charles Sumner School at intersection of 17th and M street.

Pakistan Journalist Union gives a 48hr Deadline to Government

2007-11-06T23:35:00.001-08:00

From Mazhar Abbas,

Islamabad,

Nov 7:

Dear colleagues,

In an emergency meeting of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists
(PFUJ), held in Islamabad, has decided to resist all kind of
pressures against media and has given 48-hours deadline to the
government to withdraw the two Ordinances against print and
electronic media, end the blockade of private tv news channels, FM-
radios.

The meeting, which attended by the President and General Secretaries
of affiliated unions, Executive Council members of the PFUJ,
unanimously decided to launch a protest campaign against the "anti-
people," steps taken by the government and deprived people from their
basic right to know.

If government failed to withdraw the two Ordinances,
countrywide "Black Day," will be observe during which journalists
will stage walkout from the official functions including that of
President and Prime Minister.

The meeting strongly condemned Sindh police for producing detained
four cameramen and one reporter in handcuffed in court on
Tuesday. "Its most humilitating to produce journalists in courts like
criminals. It clearly showed that the emergency is not to crush
militancy but freedom of expression, voice of dissent and civil
society," it said.

PFUJ has worked out a month long strategy to counter anti-media moves
which includes countrywide protest day, hunger strike camps, protest
demonstrations. Details will be release to the media in a Press
Conference on Wednesday, afternoon.

PFUJ has also decided to invite an International Mission of
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) to Pakistan and to
observe "Global Action Day," in solidarity with the Pakistani
journalists.

PFUJ has also appealed to the newspaper editors, owner's bodies and
broadcasters to support journalist's struggle and join hands for
combined movement.

Regards,
Mazhar Abbas

6th Nov: ANAA Interviewed on Chicago Public Radio - Worldview

2007-11-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

ANAA's President was interviewed on Chicago Public Radio - WORLD VIEW by host Jerome McDonnell.

ANAA is an advacacy group and represent the People of Pakistan. Similar programs are very important to let the world know about real condition in Pakistan.

Program details are as follows:

When: 6th Nov 2007 at 12:00PM and 9:00PM -Central Time
Where: On Chicago Public Radio WBEZ 91.5 FM.

Website: can also be listned here

Program will feature your comments (e-mail or call 312-948-4880) on Pakistan's suspension of its constitution and declaration of martial law. It will explore the role of Pakistan's military in society and politics and hear from Pakistanis and Pakistani-Americans about Pervez Musharraf's future.

Tariq Ali on Emergency in Pakistan

2007-11-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

Tariq Ali (his website), analyses the imposition of Emergency in Pakistan.

Writing for The Independent, he says that the reason was that they (military) feared that a Supreme Court judgment due next week might make it impossible for Musharraf to contest the elections.

He further writes about the dilemma of Benazir Bhutto that if she ultimately supports the latest turn it will be an act of political suicide and if she decides to dump the general (she accused him last night of breaking his promises), she will be betraying the confidence of the US state department, which pushed her this way.

He concludes that the Supreme Court's declaration that the new dispensation was "illegal and unconstitutional" was heroic, and, by contrast, the hurriedly sworn in new Chief Justice will be seen for what he is: a stooge of the men in uniform.

If the constitution remains suspended for more than three months then Musharraf may be pushed aside by the army and a new strongman installed. Or it could be that the aim was limited to cleansing the Supreme Court and controlling the media. In which case a rigged January election becomes a certainty. full article

NY Rally by Ayesha Ahsan: Monday 5th Nov 2007

2007-11-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Rally on Current Crisis in Pakistan

Rally has been arranged Ayesha Ahsan. All efforts for rule of law, independence of judiciary and free and fair election should be supported. ANAA supports all such efforts.

Date: Monday, November 5, 2007

Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Location:

Pakistani embassy, New York
Street: 12 East, 65th Street New York NY- 10021
City/Town: New York, NY

Contact: ayeshaahsan.m@gmail.com

Asma Jehangir: US to end all support of Musharraf

2007-11-04T15:35:00.000-08:00

Subject: FROM ASMA JAHANGIR

To:

Dear Friends,

The situation in the country is uncertain. There is a strong crackdown on the press and lawyers. Majority of the judges of the Supreme Court and four High Courts have not taken oath. The Chief Justice is under house arrest (unofficially). The President of the Supreme Court Bar (Aitzaz Ahsan) and 2 former presidents, Mr. Muneer Malik and Tariq Mahmood have been imprisoned for one month under the Preventive Detention laws. The President of the Lahore High Court Mr. Ahsan Bhoon and former bar leader Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd have also been arrested. The police is looking or 6 other lawyers, including President of Peshawar and Karachi bar. The President of Lahore bar is also in hiding.
There are other scores political leaders who have also been arrested.

Yesterday I was house arrested for 90 days. I am sending my detention order.

Ironically the President (who has lost his marbles) said that he had to clamp down on the press and the judiciary to curb terrorism. Those he has arrested are progressive, secular minded people while the terrorists are offered negotiations and ceasefires.

Lawyers and civil society will challenge the government and the scene is likely to get uglier. We want friends of Pakistan to urge the US administration to stop all support of the instable dictator, as his lust for power is bringing the country close to a worse form of civil strife. It is not time for the international community to insist on preventive measures, otherwise cleaning up the mess may take decades. There are already several hundred IDPs and the space for civil society has hopelessly shrunk.

We believe that Musharaf has to be taken out of the equation and a government of national reconciliation put in place. It must be backed by the military. Short of this there are no realistic solutions, although there are no guarantees that this may work.

Asma Jahangir

EMERGENCY IN PAK: NY, USA - Get to Pak Consulate

2007-11-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

A Call To All Concerned.

Event: In Response to Imposition of Emergency in Pakistan
Date: Saturday, 3rd Nov, 2007
Time: 2:30 PM EST
Location: Pakistan Consulate at 65st between Madison and Fifth avenue

Please get to Pakistan Consulate at 65st between Madison and Fifth avenuet TODAY - ( Saturday, 3rd Nov, 2007) at 2:30 PM EST.

Please contact, Nasir Gondal, if any questions.

Nasir Gondal
9178600808

ANAA Press Release on the incident. click here

ANAA Condems Imposition of Emergency in Pakistan

2007-11-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

3rd Nov, 2007

ANAA strongly Condemns Emergency and Suspension of 1973 Constitution in Pakistan

ANAA has learned that State of Emergency has been imposed in Pakistan. 1973 constitution has been suspended, security forces have entered the supreme court and supreme court bar association president Chaudhry Aitizaz ahsan has been arrested.

We strongly condemn these illegal steps and issuance of the new PCO.

ANAA salutes those supreme court judges who have refused to accept the PCO.

Pakistan is passing through a very tough times. With extremism rising in FATA and NWFP it is utmost important that military returns back to the barracks, free and fair elections are held and with mandate of peace loving Pakistani people representative assemblies re-establishes the writ of State in areas like Swat.

This Emergency will only lead to more chaos in the country.

Please attend the event by Pakistani community outside NY consulate today, 3rd Nov 2007 - click here

Text of Emergency Order click here

Swat: Why is there a Crisis?

2007-11-03T00:44:00.000-07:00

Swat (map) is called a country of "Pakistani Taliban". ANAA looks at the event leading to current crisis in Swat.

Maulana Fazlullah is the son-in-law of Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the jailed leader of the outlawed Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM - the Movement for the Implementation of Mohammad's Sharia Law). TNSM is the group behind the ideological inspiration for the Afghan Taliban.

May 23, 2007: Maulana Fazulullah signed a deal with the government of Pakistan. The cleric holds considerable sway over the conservative population of the district and led a campaign denouncing television, music, polio drops, education for girls and women’s empowerment through speeches on his illegal FM station. He has now been allowed to operate the radio station until Pakistan Electronic Media and Regulatory Authority laws are extended to the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas. click here

July 7, 2007: After Lal Masjid incident Maulana Fazlullah, 28 yr old radical cleric, of Swat asked his followers to attack to strike the government agencies. click here

Sept 27, 2007: Maulana Fazullah announced to end the deal. It is a shame for the government of Pakistan that first any deal was signed with this extremist cleric and secondly when in July Maulana Fazlullah has announced the girl education is un-islamic resulting in 2000 parents sending their girls to school, it was then that the government should have exercised their writ and closed his illegal radio station and given him exemplary punishment.

Nov 3, 2007: Swat an area with a population of 1.6 million majority living under the poverty line and 3 of seven tehsils with about 600,000 people under Maulana's control. Extremists control the east side and north is landlocked because of snow. This indeed is the time for the State to show its writ and very carefully re-establishes its control without harming the peace loving people of Swat. click here

Congressman John Tierney (D-MA): Is US effectively Confronting International Terrorism?

2007-10-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

May 2007: Congressman John Tierney (D-MA), chairman of subcommittee National security and foreign affairs, who visited Pakistan in 2007, held the hearing entitled “Extremist Madrassas, Ghost Schools, and U.S. Aid to Pakistan: Are We Making the Grade on the 9/11 Commission Report Card?”, in part, because of the low marks given to the Administrations’ policies in preventing extremism in Pakistan on the 9/11 Commission Report Card and how that affects U.S. national security interests.

Congressman opening statements were, "We begin with the 9/11 Commission, whose report cautioned us of a “generational struggle” whose “long-term success demands the use of all elements of national power: diplomacy, intelligence, covert action, law enforcement, economic policy, foreign aid, public diplomacy, and homeland defense.”

The 9/11 Commission also warned that “[i]f we favor one tool while neglecting others, we leave ourselves vulnerable and weaken our national effort.” The Commission stressed the importance that any offensive efforts “…be accompanied by a preventative strategy that is as much, or more, political as it is military.”

Hearing looked at an important question, "What is the effect of Extremist madrassas and dysfunctional Education system in Pakistan on US National security in long term?"

Now some facts :

1. Almost all 911 terrorists spent some time in Pakistan, travelled to north south nexus of Kandhar-Quetta-Karachi and 911 commission report reminded of extremist madrassas as incubators of violent extremism.

2. In Afghanistan, senior U.S., NATO and Afghan military officials told the congressional delegation of their forces being continually attacked by Taliban foes, who plan and stage their insurgent operations in Pakistan before pouring across the border to kill our troops.

Then Congressman Tierney briefed the threat given by mullahs at Lal Masjid if any efforts were made to stop them from imposing shariah in Pakistan.

Then Congressman looked objectively to the root of the problem:

Extremism and jihadi curriculum at madrassas are only one side of the problem, however, as Pakistan’s public school system has utterly failed to provide a viable alternative for millions of poor Pakistani families.

He then compared US assistance to Pakistan: $974m for military and mere $61m for education.

Administrative have asked for 33% reduction in development assistance that includes education assistance to Pakistan.

Then Congressman quoted some numbers:

a. Pakistan has 55 million school-aged children
b. Only 13 million out of 27 million between 5-9 yrs attend any school.
c. 50% of these 13 million will drop out before finishing primary school.

Pakistan itself only spends a minuscule two percent of its gross domestic product on education. Untrained, unmotivated and absenteeism-plagued teachers have led to the phenomenon of so-called “ghost schools” – where buildings sit idle or filled with students chaperoned by “minders” rather than educators.

All of us hope to support the Pakistani people in their efforts to achieve for themselves a stable, prosperous and free nation. But our national security interests in the future of Pakistani children are much more acute. Will we be safe over the next 5, 10, or 20 years as thousands – perhaps millions – more kids learn jihad at extremist madrassas instead of learning real-world skills to become productive citizens in their communities?

full report

Dr. Younus Sheikh: Another Blasphemy Victim

2007-10-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Oct 2000: Dr. Younus Sheikh imprisoned on charges of Blasphemy. His crime was the answers he gave to his students about whether the Prophet Mohammad followed Muslim practices before he assumed prophethood. Those who brought the charges had not been present in the lecture hall and are known for their sectarian bias.

Aug 2001: He was given death sentence.

Nov 2003: He was acquitted and freed after an appeal and retrial.

Background to Dr. Younus Sheikh Case:

Born in 1952. Graduated medicine from Multan and did post graduate from Dublin and England. Served as a trainee surgeon in England from 1981-88. Returned to Pakistan and was teaching in a medical college in Islamabad.

He was active in Human right groups and at a meeting of the South Asian Union on 1^st October 2000, Younus Shaikh suggested that, in the interest of the people of Kashmir, the line of control between the Indian and Pakistani forces should become the international border. This clearly offended a Pakistani officer who responded by saying to Dr Shaikh that “I will crush the heads of those that talk like this”. On 3^rd October Dr Shaikh was suspended by his college without explanation.

Later that evening, an employee of the Pakistani Foreign Office, who was also one of Dr Shaikh’s students, complained to a cleric, saying that on 2^nd October in a lecture between 12:00 noon and 12:40 pm, the doctor had made blasphemous remarks about the Prophet of Islam. The cleric filed a complaint with the police. Younus Shaikh was arrested on the evening of 4^th October and charged with blasphemy. case details

Dr. Younus Sheikh thank you letter after relesed to International Humanist and ehthical union. click here

Blasphemy Law:

Blasphemy Law was enacted by Zia-ul-Haq in his drive to Islamize Pakistan.

Once accused you are put in prison. Trials are in a hostile court room where victim's lawyer is thretened with harm to them and their family. Following people were shot dead by extremist during the trial:

As recently as July 2002, Mohammed Yousaf was shot dead inside the Central Gaol in Lahore while awaiting his appeal. On 7th February 2003, Mushtaq Zafar, a 55 year-old man accused of blasphemy was shot dead on his way home from the High Court. And in June 2003, Naseem Bibi, 35, who had been the victim of a gang rape by police, was charged with blasphemy, and was murdered in prison before her trial could begin.

Amnesty writes that "The blasphemy laws of Pakistan are a handy tool to silence debate and dissent. They are also used to detain people when the real motivation includes land issues or professional rivalry. In the interest of justice, the blasphemy laws should be abolished or as a first step amended to prevent abuse." Amnesty Report Aug 2001

Blashphemy Law 295-C

Aurat Foundation on Bannu's Beheading of Women

2007-10-28T01:33:00.000-07:00

Anis Haroon, resident director of aurat foundation laments at the absence of public outrage on beheading of women in Bannu.

She writes in Daily Dawn about aurat foundation, one of leading human right organization, sending a fact finding team to Bannu.

Ms Haroon writes that the DIG perceives the Bannu security situation as an extension of the Waziristan conflict. The law-enforcement agencies claim to be at war with the militants.

She further writes that what is the police’s response to this incident? They are not seriously investigating the case which has led people to suspect that they are involved. A local journalist showed the AF team three threatening letter-cum-press releases from unknown ‘mujahideen’. Interestingly they were all posted from Peshawar.

Identifying two brands of militancy in Bannu, the DIG says the real Taliban apparently respect women. But worse are the common criminals who are acting in the guise of the Taliban. He mentioned two cases where police encounters with apparently religious extremists had caused the latter to surrender and they turned out to be ordinary criminals.

full article

Oct 2007: Aurat Foundation sends a fact finding mission to Bannu. complete report

Sept, 2007: Beheading of women in Bannu.