Academics and Human Rights Activists are being arrested and harassed in Musharraf’s Pakistan

Two emails circulated on Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) network need our attention. The first one below is about the arrests of around 50-60 people outside Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) building including prominent members of the society, academics and journalists:

This afternoon, a group of 50 or 60 peaceful protestors – including some prominent journalists, lawyers, academics and human rights activists – gathered outside the HRCP building to protest against Musharraf and his emergency declaration. The protestors were surrounded by the police and arrested. The latest information I have received is that detention orders are expected to be issued soon for all those arrested, which means that they may be put in jail indefinitely. Mr. Bilal Minto (adjunct faculty, Law & Policy) and Professor Ali Cheema (Economics) are also amongst the
arrested individuals.

In another VERY encouraging email that I quote here, a faculty member at LUMS appeals its students to peacefully protest the imposition of martial law in our country.

Dear all. As I write to you many members of society are actively protesting against the travesty that has plunged us once again into the dark ages. The hrcp building has been surrounded by police and peaceful protesters including some of our faculty members are about to be arrested. In islamabad and elsewhere the top judiciary of the country remains under house arrest and similar arrests are being made. The press has been completely muffled. This is the time to peacefully but unequivocally express our very strong dismay and protest against yet another martial law. Howvever as we unite in this please ensure that nothing happens that in any way undermines our institutional norms. Please introspect and gauge whether continuing silence makes sense any more. Please speak up, stand together and be counted. And be careful. Regards. Osama siddique

This appeal applies to all students across Pakistan, it is encouraging that someone is ready to make the move. We wanted leaders right, well we got our leaders. Let Musharraf make more of his mistakes and very soon, we will have such leaders across the whole country.

See this as well

Musharraf, this time, you HAVE to go!!

Tags: LUMS, Pakistan, politics