By Muhammad Najeeb, IANS
Islamabad : Police baton charged and clashed with protestors near the Supreme Court building Monday as about 200 activists of different political parties tried to reach the apex court which is hearing cases against Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for keeping two offices.
About 200 activists appeared on the Constitution Avenue that leads to the Supreme Court building adjacent to the Parliament House and shouted slogans against Musharraf. Most of them were carrying flags of religious parties who are allies in the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM).
The activists were demanding release of their leaders and also raised slogans against the US. The police baton charged the protestors and arrested about 20 activists while they succeeded in dispersing others.
The APDM last week announced resignation of its legislators from the assemblies to block Musharraf’s re-election from the present parliament. The party also announced that it would hold demonstrations against the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that has amended the rules to facilitate Musharraf’s re-election while in military uniform.
After the announcement, several APDM leaders were arrested while other have gone underground to escape arrest. The police are still hunting for opposition leaders and activists. APDM spokesman Ahsan Iqbal said that more than 130 of their leaders have been arrested – some have been sent to jail while others are under house arrest.
The Supreme Court is hearing six identical cases against Musharraf for keeping two offices – presidency and army chief. The apex court is expected to announce its decision by the end of this week.
Someone threw a bottle full of black ink on the face of Musharraf’s lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri on Monday. As Kasuri stepped out of his chauffer driven car someone from the crowd threw the black ink on his face and disappeared.
In a GEO television programme Kasuri Sunday defended Musharraf’s re-election in uniform and hurled abuse at people who were against the military rule.
He criticised opposition leaders and lawyers who are agitating against Musharraf’s rule. At times the TV management had to mute the audio and the anchors of the programme repeatedly requested Kasuri not to use objectionable language and had to end the programme abruptly.