Pakistan bars planned protest by Bhutto

[rodeodance]

Source: ap



Pakistan bars planned protest by Bhutto

By MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 40 minutes ago



ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto will not be allowed to hold a protest procession across Pakistan because it will violate a ban on political rallies under the state of emergency, a government spokesman said Monday.


Bhutto and other opposition members have threatened to boycott upcoming parliametnary elections unless the restrictions imposed by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf come to and end and he resigns as army chief. Musharraf said the vote would take place in mid-January, but critics say with the state of emergency, elections will be neither free nor fair.

Bhutto was due to depart from the eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday morning for the capital, Islamabad. The journey was expected to take about three days, and her party said thousands of supporters were expected to join her en route.

"All processions, rallies, political gatherings at present are outlawed," Deputy Information Minister Tariq Azim told The Associated Press. "So if she breaks the law then obviously she will not be allowed to do it."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071112/ap_on_re_as/pakistan;_ylt=Ag8j7PEdZHRiVDM6RQIYX06s0NUE

[rocktivity]

1. The protests are going to held in Pakistan's bars?

Well, that WOULD keep them out of the street...

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[gratuitous]

2. Yep, Musharraf has promised elections

Any opposition candidates can't hold rallies, be on the state-controlled television or radio, advertise or campaign, but by golly, he promises to hold an election. In a couple of months. If things have calmed down by then.

But George Dubya assures us that Musharraf "unnerstans" that the Pakistani people and the American people love freedom and democracy, so I'm sure this will all turn out all right, and not with bloody street battles, tanks firing into crowds of angry demonstrators, and Musharraf's body hanging from a lamp post.

[rodeodance]

3. both of them are big DANGEROUS fibbers

[gratuitous]

4. Golly, why are you so pessimistic?

I mean, except for every development of the last decade or so, and the extensive track record that Bush has laid down of his complete incompetence in every area of foreign policy. That's all ancient history! Name one thing George has screwed up in the last three seconds.

Okay, NOW the last three seconds.

All right, the last three nanoseconds.

All right--gosh, you're such a pessimist!

[Eugene]

5. AP: Bhutto Placed Under House Arrest Again

Source: Associated Press

Bhutto Placed Under House Arrest Again

Monday November 12, 2007 9:01 PM

By ZARAR KHAN

Associated Press Writer

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani authorities placed
opposition leader Benazir Bhutto under house arrest for
the second time in four days to prevent her staging a
grand procession on Tuesday to protest emergency
rule, police said.

A seven-day detention order was issued by the
government of Punjab province, where the former prime
minister is staying at the house of a lawmaker from her
party, Aftab Cheema, the chief of operations of Lahore
city police, told The Associated Press.

“She has been detained and she won't be allowed to
come out,” Cheema said.

Hundreds of armed police were deployed Monday in the
streets around the home where Bhutto is staying, and
sharpshooters took to surrounding rooftops. A series of
three steel-and-barbed wire barricades were erected
around her house.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7071658,00.html