A high level meeting of Pervez Musharraf, PML-Q led by former Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and Musharraf’s legal team, led by Sharifuddin Pirzada took place at the President’s house today. A source privy to the meeting informed us about the possible plans to derail the restoration of the judges that were discussed in today’s meeting. Suggestions included having a stay order against the working of the parliament, offering money and black-mailing members of PML-N and PPP (reminder: Faisal Saleh Hayat was a PPP member but joined PML-Q after having his multiple murder and corruption charges dropped). The judges have been promised to be restored by Nawaz Sharif by the 12th and we must actively oppose all possible moves to derail the process.

This is where we need your help. A few emails, sms-es and calls on your part can greatly help Pakistan and further the cause for the restoration of the only independent judiciary of Pakistan.

2) Contact the people in the meeting, urging them not to conspire against the judiciary:

Sharif uddin Pirzada (responsible for all the coups in Pakistan):
051-4440483

Attorney General Malik Qayyum (complicit in Nov 3’s act of treason):
0300-8456118

Faisal Saleh Hayat (charges dropped against him even before NRO)
051-9224578      0300-8444798

Ahmad Raza Qasuri (of black spray-painted face fame)
0300 9558217                    051 2654762

2) Get the message through to Musharraf to STOP interfering with our judiciary and parliament:

Ideal person to contact:

Bilal Musharraf:
(note Bilal has only been selected because he has been actively supporting his father’s actions of Nov 3rd and has been trying to misrepresent the act of treason committed by Pervez Musharraf at many gatherings in San Francisco Bay Area, especially at Stanford University).

Email: bilal@eplanetventures.com
Cellphone: +1-650-861-0229

Through his friends:

Mushaid Hussain Syed          0300-5006056
Ch. Shujjat Hussain              0300-5157029
Muhammad Ali Durrani          0300-8453883
Sheikh Rasheed                   0300-8554242
Wasi Zafar                           0301-3001720


ISPR:

Directly:
Pakistan Secretariat
Fax: 92 51 9224 768 / 9221422
Phone (+92)(051) 9202750, 9202752-3
Email: president@pak.gov.pk

Aiwan-e-Sadar,
Islamabad, PAKISTAN
FAX: +92 051 920-1893/1835 or 4632

Chief of Army Staff House,
Golf Road, Rawalpindi

051-5556822
CE@pak.gov.pk,

You can also get the message to him through his secretary:

PR Secretary
Colonel Hassan    PRO President    0300-8555569

To send a COMPLETELY anonymous email, use the following program:
http://anonymouse.org/anonemail.html

3) Spread the message:
As always spread this like wild fire.

Feel free to publish this on ANY BLOG as long as you give the mailing list link (so more people can subscribe)

In solidarity
–
Ryzwan

Restore the Judiciary NOW

Join the Mailing List:
http://lists.hcs.harvard.edu/mailman/listinfo/emergency

Emergency Times:
http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/
______________________________

By Zarrar Said

The primeval soup of multifaceted compounds and elements spawned molecular dependencies which we refer to as life. The key for survival was replication or procreation, initially in the form of mitosis and then through reproduction. It is this combination irregular trial and error that created single-celled species which progressed to multi-cell species. Nature judged and approved each organism’s ability to sustain life in its environment. Genes are ever perpetuating and the examples are what we see around us. We are machines carrying these primeval genes since the beginning of time; when life originated in the primeval soup. Organisms’ sole purpose would be to procreate and pass on as many of its genes into nature as possible. Throughout time we have asked ourselves whether we are fallen angels or risen apes. The answer lies in a simple yet tabooed subject.

Charles Darwin would go down in history as probably the most misunderstood person ever. The Origin of Species commanded the awakening of human contemplation and laid the foundations for the answer to our very existence. The progression of our species’ intellect has always been hindered by convictions of the blind; more commonly known as “blind faith”. More than a century later, we as a species have still to grasp in totality the importance of comprehending natural selection. Classrooms across the world shy away from the subject. Ignorance leads many to whole heartedly accept that it is nothing but theory. While we progress to ascertain complex mathematic equations, quantum mechanics, and new and improved economic strategies, we fail to realize the most important of all subjects. The subject which would make us understand equality in the human race, altruistic human compassion as a means of survival, social, economic, and political Darwinism. Most of all, we would understand how we got here and what our purpose of existence entails. And yet, there are only a handful of people who are privileged to be exposed to it in their educational life.

Surprisingly, many would rather believe a preconceived notion of angels, demons, and heavenly prehistoric beginnings rather than fact based actualities of Homosapien evolution. Understanding natural selection would require time and debugging of preconceived religious decrees. But eventually, one can conceive that in every strata of life, the stronger (whatever strength may equate to in the respective situation) individual would survive and is more likely to spread offspring into the environment. Almost every question could be resolved through Darwinistic measures. In an office environment, the most hardworking and productive worker will be promoted. In the political scenario, whether by physical power or compassion, the strongest candidate would succeed, etc.

Altruistic behavior is present in our primate cousins, the chimpanzees. Chimps have a democratic political construct similar to that of humans. The chimp “chief” is elected by acts of compassion and selflessness. The “gene” or combination of genes for this altruistic act allows the most compassionate chimp to become chief. In the movie, “March of the Penguins”, one can witness a group of penguins punishing one particular penguin who steals another’s egg. Again, this act relates to similar altruistic genes carried by all organisms. Although compassion is not on the agenda for all organisms, somehow violence and irregular injustice do seem to prevail. However, each organizational strata would again justify the survival of the appropriate “fittest”. Gandhi, for example, was assassinated. His overall message, however, allowed millions around the world to fight tyranny. Overall, our genetic code allows for survival of organisms which allow perpetuation of their respective species because if there is no species left, the organism can not create offspring, which is its first and foremost purpose.

Overall, it is essential that we learn and teach our children the importance of natural selection and the importance of the Scientific Method to judge accuracy. The beauty of science is that it is accumulative and perpetual. It will continue to grow and compound previous knowledge. Nothing is certain or set in stone. This does not mean that what science promotes has the potential to be wrong but instead the potential to become much more right. Newtonian physics is many years old but is still applicable to a projectile throw of a stone. However, to launch a satellite Newtonian physics would have to be coupled with modern physics for strategic accuracy. Charles Darwin wrote a theory backed by hard hitting evidence. Over time, his “theory” has become a fact as solidified as the existence of gravity itself. It has been advanced and improved upon rather than debunked. Yet in this day and age most people are ignorant of this fact.

Neither are we fallen angels, nor are we risen apes. Instead we are a complexity and permutation of millions of years of natural selection without a predestined or strategic plan. The sooner we realize the actuality of this very fact, the easier it would be to excel in any arena in life whether it is work, health, love, or politics. We have to see the importance of promoting natural selection over creationism which bounds the minds ability to reason. The advancement of human intellectuality will correspond directly with the advancement of humans themselves. And yet we are faced with the question, “if there was no plan, what is the purpose of our existence?” The answer is that life in itself is intrinsic to serve its own purpose and in this cosmic lottery ticket we will one day cease to exist like the other millions of species. Our purpose, is to make the most of it for ourselves and the millions that exist with us.

A lot of people come to this blog looking for the lyrics to the song “I am woman, hear me roar” by  Helen Reddy and Ray Burton, so I thought I’d put them up.

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still an embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman

March 3, 2008

The SHO,
Police Station,
Secretariat,
Islamabad.

REGISTRATION OF CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST GEN ® PERVAIZ MUSHARRAF, MINISTER OF INTERIOR, SECRETARY INTERIOR, CHIEF COMMISSIONER ISLAMABAD, IGP ISLAMABAD, SSP ISLAMABAD, DC ISLAMABAD AND OTHERS FOR KEEPING THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN JUSTICE IFTIKHAR MOHAMMAD CHAUDHRY, OTHER HON’BLE JUDGES AND THIER FAMILIES UNDER/IN WRONGFUL RESTRAINT, WRONGFUL CONIFINEMENT, COMMITTING CRIMINAL TRESSPASS, CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION,  ETC PUNISHABLE UNDER THE PAKISTAN PENAL CODE 1860 READ WITH OTHER ENABLING PROVISIONS.

We have been authorized and instructed by the respective Presidents of the High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi Bar Association and Islamabad Bar Association to submit this application for registration of a criminal case under the relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and other enabling provisions. It is, therefore, stated as follows;

1.    That on March 9, 2007 the then Chief of Army Staff, General Pervaiz Musharraf attacked the independence of the judiciary by illegally using the State machinery to criminally intimidate, coerce, threaten and assault the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry so as to illegally force him to resign from his office.

2.    That on refusal to succumb to the illegal pressure and subjugate the independence of the judiciary, the Chief Justice of Pakistan was taken into custody and kept in illegal confinement and house arrest with the other members of the family for more than two weeks. The officials of the intelligence agencies and the administration at the behest and on orders of General ® Pervaiz Musharraf trespassed the official residence of the Chief Justice and kept him and the members of his family confined to two rooms within the residence.

3.    That General ® Pervaiz Musharraf publicly confessed and regretted the illegal and wrongful restraint and confinement.

4.    That on July 20, 2007 a thirteen member bench of the Supreme Court honourably restored Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry as the Chief Justice of Pakistan and held that the allegations in the Reference were malafide, illegal and unconstitutional. It is important to note that the  evidence relating to the purported allegations in the reference had been withdrawn and the lawyers representing General ® Pervaiz Musharraf and the Federation tendered apologies before the Supreme Court and the Bench of the Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000/- against the Federal Government.

5.    That in a shameless act of revenge solely for his personal ego, General ® Pervaiz Musharraf committed high treason on November 3, 2007 when taking advantage of his position as the Chief of Army Staff, he issued an illegal and unconstitutional Proclamation of Emergency and a Provisional Constitutional Order. He, thereby not only committed high treason under Article 6 of the Constitution but also conspired to bring the Pakistan Army into disrepute merely for his personal gain and ego. He attacked the independence of judiciary yet again and the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan as well.

6.    That on November 3, 2007 a seven member bench of the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan suspended the Proclamation and the PCO. The authorities were restrained not to act in pursuance of the Proclamation or the PCO and held any act performed thereunder as illegal and unconstitutional.

7.    That General ® Pervaiz Musharraf taking advantage of being the Chief of Army Staff and in flagrant violation of his oath as a member of the armed forces criminally abused his authority by taking control of the Supreme Court in the evening of November 3, 2007 through the law enforcement agencies. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and other Hon’ble Judges, except five who agreed to collaborate in this heinous crime, were taken into custody. The acts and omissions are also contempt of the Supreme Court. This also is contempt of the Supreme Courts order dated November 3, 2007.

8.    That the officials of law enforcement agencies and the administration of Islamabad Federal Capital Territory at the behest of and on instructions from General ® Pervaiz Musharraf criminally trespassed the official residence of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and other Hon’ble Judges of the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice and the judges, along with their families, were wrongfully confined and restricted in their respective official residences so much so that the outer doors were padlocked and chained. Barbed wires were put all around the residences and the roads leading to the judicial colony were also barricaded and barbed wires were placed.

9.    That the eighteen year old daughter of the Chief Justice of Pakistan i.e Ifra Iftikhar was not allowed to leave the residence for taking his “A” Level examinations.

10.    That eight year old physically challenged son of the CJP, Ballaj Iftikhar, who has been termed as the ‘Youngest Political Prisoner” by local as well as international media has not even been allowed to come out to the garden of the residence let alone allowing him to attend the school.

11.    That sixteen year old Palwasha Iftikhar a student of ‘A’ Level has also not been allowed to leave the residence and attend her school.

12.    That Justice Sardar Raza Khan, Justice Shakirullah Jan and Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk also remain under wrongful restraint and confinement.

13.    That General ® Pervaiz Musharraf and on his instructions and his behest the Minster of Interior, Secretary of Interior, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, IGP Islamabad, SSP Islamabad, DC Islamabad and other collaborators have committed offences, inter alia, punishable under the Pakistan Penal Code.

You are, therefore, advised to forthwith register a FIR against the above named offenders under sections 338, 334, 341, 344, 441, 442, 503, 506, 107, 102-A and other enabling provisions failing which further legal proceedings shall be initiated.

For the applicants
President High Court Bar, Rawalpindi.
President District Bar, Islamabad.
President District Bar, Rawalpindi.

Through

(ATHAR MINALLAH)

# 24, 1st Floor, Beverly Centre,
Blue Area,
Islamabad

I’m prepared for the violence that will inevitable ensue after the elections. I’m prepared for a rigged result in favour of the PML-Q. I’m prepared for the state brutality- the torture and mindless killings that will take place- shoot at sight orders have been given, and they will be abused. I’m prepared to stay at home and watch. I refuse to part of violent mobs. I’m prepared to cry. I’m prepared to wonder, yet again, if there is any hope.

But I’m hoping it won’t be that bad. I’m wishing that PML-Q doesn’t win. I’m praying that my country doesn’t descend into chaos. And more than anything else, I’m hoping that Musharraf will leave, or be made to leave. I’m going to keep hoping, wishing and praying now. There’s nothing I can do but watch.

The Hum Logge protest rally was by far the most incredible rally we’ve had so far. The response and turn out was astounding. Over 1000 people came together from all over Pakistan to demand the restoration of the judiciary. What was most incredible for me was the fact that people were united under one flag: our flag. Of course, there were a few bad eggs like people who insisted on carrying a black flag; the communists and Tehreek-e-insaaf also should have carried the Pakistani flag in solidarity.

We started at Nehar Ghar in Zaman Park at 7 am. Before leaving, we issued media statements etc. Then, a procession of about 20 cars and 2 buses left for Islamabad via the Grand Trunk road. Every car had stickers of the Pakistani flag, as well as a small flag. On the way we stopped at Gujranwala where many lawyers joined us. The reception we received was very warm and tons of people gathered on the streets to hear Bushra Aitzaz speak. Everyone was shouting “Go Musharraf go!” There was a lot of energy and solidarity. We were off to a great start.

Our next stop was Gujrat where we had lunch. More lawyers joined us and we went straight to Islamabad. On the way, people were waving and flashing victory signs. The Islamabad organiser, Kamil Hamid, was calling me frantically since we were pretty late! We had aimed to reach there by 2:30, but we got there at 4 instead. On the way to Aitzaz Ahsan’s house, we noticed that the police had set up barricades all over the Supreme Court. We were originally supposed to go there, but we had to change our venue and decided to go to the Chief Justice’s house instead. When we got to the gathering point, I was stunned by the amount people who kept pouring out from all over- from inside the house, from the street. I only realised just how many people there were once we started the rally. Again, the energy and solidarity was incredible and I salute all the brave people who came to this event.

As soon as we got close, they started spraying us with water. We all thought it was tear gas, so I started taking videos before running. Then we discovered it was water. They were hosing us down. The fire department- I repeat- the fire department was not attending to actual and real fires; they were being used to fend off protestors. This in a country where water is scarce- very scarce. Because it was just water, people kept going. They kept marching. One man stood right in front of the water with his arms extended. That’s when they started pelting us with stones. But people kept going.

Within a few minutes, they gassed us with some poison. It definitely wasn’t tear gas. I was retching and couldn’t breathe. My skin was stinging for a whole day afterwards. My mouth still feels like someone has scraped it with a knife.

The gas didn’t deter many people though. Some people were picking it up and throwing it right back at the police. People just kept going. They urged everyone to keep going, but I was just not ready to face that poison again.

And the police were brutal. After watering us, throwing stones at us, and gassing us with poison, they started firing rubber bullets. They baton charged and beat the crap out of people. They arrested people who were receiving treatment in hospitals. Details of an eye witness account are available here and here.

And lastly, the blog is now white. I can finally put pictures up here so it’s here to stay!

No matter what one feels about a teacher, pushing one is totally unacceptable. Sure I had teachers I wanted to hit, throw shoes at and push off cliffs. But I didn’t because that would just be heinous, despicable…

Today one of my students shoved me more than once. Actually he’s no longer my student. My class had seven bad eggs who were pulling the rest of the class down. At first, the school wasn’t too bothered until one day when I just lost it. I was ready to quit. When I gave detention, they pet the kids and told them to behave. When I insisted, they told me not to because it would make me unpopular. Like I’m there to make friends. When I issued pink cards, they would, again, give the kids a warning (pink cards are complaints that go on their permanent records). Once I insisted upon issuing the pink card and it was given to the kid who in turn went home and wept. He created this whole fuss about how I was targeting him. So his mother refused to sign it and sent it back. The result? He was free to do as he pleased again.

Actually this student is quite a conniving little fellow and his parents let him get away with murder. At the parent teacher meeting, I expressed my concern and told them that he had a behaviour problem. They refused to believe me. They kept implying that I was lying and kept defending him. “You’re the ONLY teacher that has a problem with him!” they declared. I was left stupefied. If my teachers had said something like that about me, my mother would have hung me upside down from a fan and then switched it on full blast. In fact, they were so clueless and delusional about their child that they kept telling me how all the other teachers loved him and how he was the best thing that could ever happen. They told me to adjust my behaviour and they implied that I deserved what I got. What really pissed me off was the fact that I had heard three other teachers complain to them in front of me. I have severe issues with parents like that and I’m very glad I don’t have to deal with them anymore.

So, at the beginning of this term, I kicked out 7 boys. I was more than happy to be rid of them. It’s one thing to have a bad student, but it’s quite another to have a bad person as a student. They’re still royal pains in the behind though. They make a huge effort to disrupt the class and take ages to leave when I walk in. But today just took the cake…

I walked into class. The sports teacher gave the kids permission forms for something or the other. I don’t really care. The offender- the one who pushed me- grabbed all the forms and started pretending to distribute them. In reality, he was causing a ruckus and deliberately stalling. His teacher, for reasons unknown to me, doesn’t care if they show up late, so they feel free to wander around at will. That’s why they deliberately cause havoc and make a huge show out of leaving. They take ages to pack their bags. The kid with the delusional parents always yells and makes one hell of a lot of noise. Today, when I complained about that, he lied with such a straight face that I was left amazed. And I completely blame his parents.

Anyway, the violent child who was pretending to distribute the papers, had to be told off. He absolutely refused to leave. I took his bag and was going to put it outside so that he wouldn’t make a big fuss about the bag. He often takes about two whole minutes to hoist it on his back. He saw me take the bag and he grabbed it. Knowing that I had a firm grip on it, he grabbed it and started shoving me. I managed to hold on to the bag and I put it outside. Once outside, he started shoving the door into me. He knew I was standing behind it since it is mostly glass. He could see me quite clearly. He repeatedly shoved the door into me. Then he left.

I was livid. I couldn’t believe that a student would ever resort to physically abusing the teacher. Never did I think it would happen to me and I truly hope it doesn’t happen to another teacher. The Principal was very understanding. She gave him a tight slap, which was really quite satisfying to watch. Then she suspended him for 2 days.

The people who know me are as livid as I am about this. In fact, a few have suggested that this punishment isn’t enough. I don’t know what to think anymore. Private schools are equally to blame for this terrible attitude. They cater to the parents and the result- not to the actual development of the child. I don’t think they educate in the true sense. Yes, they are a far better option than our local government schools, but that’s not enough. It’s not enough to get good grades. A good education should teach you respect for humanity and the environment. I feel damn lucky to have been part of UWC for I truly got a wonderful overall education there. We need schools like UWC here desperately. I aim to open one as soon as I can save enough money. It’s a long way off, but I am adamant about making it happen some day. I certainly don’t ever want to see my siblings’ kids in any school that doesn’t provide them with a comprehensive education. The O level system is ridiculous. It’s based on gimmicks and points. I have personally taught kids who can hardly speak English, yet they got A’s. The system has been cracked and the leaks are soon going to burst. Anyone with me?

Today Pakistan stands at the crossroads of chaos and instability. The events of November 3rd, and December 27, 2007, have had a devastating affect on our nation, the Balkanization of which is now a very likely future scenario. The gravity of the situation demands that we, the people of Pakistan, stay united and work for the restoration of our judiciary, which can restore order to our nation. In the wake of rising provincial disharmony and the judicial crisis, Hum Logge has organized a plan to rally under the flag of Pakistan for solidarity on February 9th, 2008 from Lahore to the capital, Islamabad, via the G.T. road.

“Hum Logge” consists of organizers, in consultation with the Leaders of the Bars and major political parties, who are advocates of civil rights, the independence of judiciary, and a restoration of democracy. The parties will participate in the rally for a national cause since they too stand as a symbol of the Federation. We will rally with full support and enthusiasm from all classes of people (awam: the real people), the Leaders of the Bars and other participants including WAF (Women Action Forum), HRCP (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan), CCP (Concerned Citizens of Pakistan), the members of various NGOs, local civil society groups, SAC (Student Action Committee), and most importantly, the most marginalized citizens of this nation, who are the real voters. Hum Logge- We, the people, ARE the government. United we stand to make our voice heard.

Objectives:

The rally aims to reiterate the people’s demands for the restoration of the judiciary, free and fair elections for democracy, and to show solidarity amongst the four provinces in order to move the country away from the prevailing, vulnerable situation. It’s time to work together for the solidarity of our country.

We will join our brethren in Islamabad and together march towards the Supreme Court so that we can influence the present regime to meet our demands. We aim to show solidarity with judicial leaders who are acting players for the suppressed of the country, and who are fighting for the independence of the judiciary, civil liberties, freedom of democracy, a free media, and a society rid of atrocities and tyranny.

We anticipate everyone’s involvement and request that all individuals and organizations send their delegations as representatives in large numbers to show strength, power and the struggle of the people of Pakistan for their rights and for democracy.

This is for PAKISTAN and for ALL Pakistanis. It does not matter who you are and what your affiliations are. We ONLY want the Pakistani flag here, be it in the form of the flag itself, stickers, banners, etc. We want to focus on unity instead of the minor differences in agenda that we may have. Now is the time to unite.

We would also be obliged if people can donate cars for transportation to Islamabad. Please do register your cars with us and confirm the number of people you will be bringing along with Bina Qureshi. Please contact Bina Qureshi and Nabiha Meher in Lahore, and Kamil Hamid in Islamabad for any details and information.

UNITED WE STAND FOR A SOLID PAKISTAN.

Looking forward,
Bina Qureshi
Team leader
Phone number: 0300-8412435
Email: images_help@yahoo.com

Nabiha Meher:
Phone #: 0308-4579807
nabihameher@gmail.com

Kamil Hamid:
Phone #: 0345-5104892
kamilhamid@gmail.com

First of all, this blog is now black because well… I got tired of the narrow columns of the green one. It’s also appropriate. It just is.

The rally on the second at Nasir Bagh was a mega-event! Thousand of people united to demand the restoration of the judiciary. The parties and groups put aside their petty difference and united to voice their dissent. Aitzaz Ahsan came and spoke before leaving for the airport where he was re-arrested. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay very long, but I managed to take a few pictures and a video. This blog is refusing to cooperate with me, so those who want to see the pictures, they are on facebook here. And the video is here.

Yesterday, on the third of February, there was a protest outside Aitzaz Ahsan’s house. It was also a very interesting event. The pictures are here.

This is a video of a lawyer. It’s really, really good. I will write the transcript and then translate it soon.

And this is just adorable. Here’s a child appealing for freedom.

I apologise to those who aren’t on facebook. I’m not sure, but I think you may be able to see them without having an account since I’ve made them visible to everyone. I will put up pictures on this blog as soon I can figure out how to fit them!

On two consecutive days, 1st and 2nd February, the staff (security personnel as well as faculty members) of Punjab College, Muslim Town have tried to deny the rights of free speech and of free association of pro-democracy activists, and members of the Student Action Committee (SAC) Lahore - even going to the extent of brutal, un-restrained physical assault. In the face of this practical demonstration of the fascist attitudes nurtured in the so-called institutes of higher education that constitute the Punjab Group of Colleges, owned and run by the Nazim (Mayor) of Lahore, Mian Amir Mehmood, the activists have shown a remarkable degree of calm and fortitude, refusing to be provoked, and yet refusing to bow down to the dictates of the civilian collaborators of Army rule.

As already reported in some newspapers (e.g. Dawn), on Friday 1st February, Raheem-ul-Haque (adjunct faculty at Punjab University, former Project Manager at Techlogix) and Saeeda Diep (a veteran political, and not merely social, activist) were distributing flyers on the public side-lane in front of the two sections of the segregated Punjab College. The flyers, published by the Students Action Committee, laid out the basic demands of the Committee and also urged students to join hands with other sections of the public in a protest demonstration in Nasser Bagh on Saturday, the 2nd. The two activists were handing out flyers to all the students, boys and girls, consistent with their belief that information and debate are as much the right of women as of men. While Raheem was distributing some flyers outside the girls’ section of the college, he leaned over the chain at the exit and handed a few to some students standing there. He then continued distributing the pamphlets to other students as they left for home or arrived for class. It is important to note two things here: at no point did either Raheem or Diep trespass on the private property of the college, unless, of course, in his extraordinary legislative zeal, the President decides to declare into existence a new law against aerial trespassing, “Thou shalt not lean into, or otherwise violate the airspace of, another’s property”; not a single student had actually complained against the actions of the pro-democracy campaigners.

Soon thereafter, one of the security guards employed by the College told Raheem to stop handing out the flyers. Raheem defended his acts, saying that he was well within his rights to do as he pleased in a public space and that he was distributing flyers to the girls in the same way that he was distributing them to the boys. The guard slapped Raheem. Instead of hitting back, Raheem asked him why he’d hit him. He got two more punches for his trouble - this time the guard broke his spectacles. Again Raheem tried to reason with the guard, protesting that he was not doing anything wrong. He then walked over to consult with Diep. The guard followed, and the ensuing discussion quickly heated up with the guard pushing Diep and insulting both activists in abusive language. People gathered around them, which prevented the guard from following up his verbal threats with further physical aggression. Realizing that the situation could spiral out of control, some staff members from the College extricated the guard from the crowd.

Incensed and humiliated, the two activists decided to bring this action to the notice of the larger public. Some friends and one reporter arrived on the spot in short order. At this point, the group decided to report the matter to the police. At the nearby Muslim Town police station, which is also the office of the Superintendant Police Saddar Division, the police hummed and hawed for two hours before finally announcing that they needed a medico-legal report from the nearest government hospital. The physician at Jinnah Hospital diagnosed a perforated left ear drum and prescribed some antibiotics. Armed with the report, the group headed back to the police station, where they were informed that such an injury, not visible to the naked eye, was not serious enough to be the subject of their hallowed “First Investigation Report” (FIR)!

That evening, members of the Students Action Committee gathered outside Aitezaz Ahsan’s house to celebrate his release, prepared a press release and vowed to go back the following day to the same college to concretely demonstrate the strength of their resolve.

The next day, Hassan Rehman (FAST-NU graduate student) and Umayr Hassan (FAST-NU faculty member) accompanied Raheem-ul-Haque and Saeeda Diep to Punjab College. They arrived at 11.30 AM and started handing out the flyers urging students to attend the protest demonstration that would start in a few hours time. It seemed that they had proven their point and were about to disperse (in fact, Hassan Rehman had already left) when the Principal of the College arrived in his black Mercedes. Some of the security guards (there were at least ten of them in total) called Raheem to meet the Principal. Raheem and Diep - infuriated - argued with him that their guards had no right to tell them what to do on public property and that, in fact, they (the College) was illegally encroaching upon public property (the green belt between the service lane and the main road serves as a parking lot for the College). Raheem mentioned that he had taken several photographs of the encroachment. Another SAC member, Shehryar (software engineer by profession) arrived while the argument was going on.

At some point, as he leaned either to say or after having said something to the Principal, the Principal grabbed Shehryar by his collar and then told the guards to thrash him. All of the guards fell upon Shehryar, punching, slapping, and then picking him up to be taken inside the College premises. Diep and Raheem went to save Shehryar and were similarly assaulted. Diep was dragged along with Shehryar while Raheem and Umayr were slapped and pushed into the premises through another gate.

Inside their offices, the four were forced to sit on the sofa and not allowed to go out. Raheem, infuriated, railed against the teachers present, who either remained silent spectators or told the activists to shut up or taunted their professionalism or called them Indian agents/NGO people. They claimed they were puncturing car tires and instigating students inside the campus. A female teacher suggested that Diep (being a female) could accompany her elsewhere - Diep angrily refused. Shehryar struggled against the goon squad and was beaten again. The other three tried to protect him as Raheem was punched and his nose started bleeding profusely. Diep tried calling Usman Gill (SAC activist and recent graduate from FAST-NU) and while she was talking to him, the guards tried to confiscate her cell phone - Diep refused but could not complete the call. This and more went on for more than an hour, with the College personnel alternating between beating up the activists and apologizing to them. There were twenty or thirty of them in all, some staff, some faculty and some who looked like hired thugs in plain clothes, who attacked and tormented the trapped pro-democracy campaigners.

Suddenly, Shehryar fell on all fours, gasping and indicating that he had difficulty breathing. It was a clever hoax, but no one including friends realised it then and started to panic. They clamoured for an ambulance to be called, warning the administration of the trouble they would bring upon themselves were one of them to die on the premises. As Shehryar lay limp on the floor, Umayr went outside to tell someone to call an ambulance. Usman Gill was outside and Umayr shouted to him telling him to call the ambulance. As he came nearer to the College boundary wall, someone behind Umayr told the guards outside to bring Usman inside. A guard grabbed Usman by the collar and tried to push him toward the gate - Usman resisted and was released just outside the gate as the police had arrived by that time. Usman, Umayr, Raheem and Diep’s driver carried Sheryar outside and laid him in Umayr’s car as Shehryar and Diep were driven away to safety.

The rest of the SAC members waited for the senior police officer (already aware of the incident the previous day) to arrive while the activist and College administration argued the case with the officer present. In particular, the activists demanded that the College return Shehryar’s cell phone and Raheem’s camera (used to photograph the College façade as well as the encroachment - hence the reason the guards to grab it from Raheem’s car, as witnessed by Umayr’s driver. The camera cost approx. $1000.) When the senior police officer arrived, the same argument persisted: the students demanded the retrieval of their property while the college personnel complained that the SAC members had been interfering inside their College. They now also claimed that the activists had damaged their property - a door glass was broken when the guards were scuffling inside with Shehryar. It was not clear who broke it. All parties now went inside the offices and the officer then had a word in private with the Principal. Outside, Umayr narrated their tale to a plainclothes Special Branch (police intelligence) representative. Outside, again, the officer had managed to recover the cell phone and asked the administrators to look for the missing camera asked the activists to come to the police station to lodge a complaint while his junior stayed back to look for the camera. Raheem and Usman went with him in the police mobile car.

By this time, Diep had managed to inform the SAC members attending the big rally at Nasser Bagh. However, once the activists had managed to free themselves, they sent messages to the SAC members to attend the rally which was the more important event, and to come over to the Muslim Town police station afterwards.

Shehryar and Raheem got medical treatment. Shehryar had a broken finger and Raheem had a bloody nose swollen as after a boxing match.

Around 20 - 25 SAC members had gathered at the Muslim Town police station by 4:30 PM. The SP allowed some SAC members to enter his office to take part in the discussion as the SAC lawyers presented their case and pressed for an FIR to be lodged against the staff of Punjab College. After much prevarication, during which he must have realised that SAC had a solid case and that he would have to file a report, he invited the group to go over to the College with him to talk to the College administration. Here a comic twist presented itself: the SP never showed up. He climbed into his official brand new 2.4D Toyota Hilux and disappeared. While the SAC members waited outside the College, they started raising slogans against the military dictatorship, against the Nazim and against oppression. About the same time, students started leaving for home and were quite surprised to encounter the SAC group in full cry. Some of them stopped to ask what had happened - they either knew nothing at all, or had been fed lies by the administration to the effect that the people beaten up earlier that day had been teasing female students. The SAC members disabused them of this fiction and even handed them their new flyers.

Eventually a DSP arrived and started negotiations with the SAC lawyers. At first, it seemed that he merely wanted SAC to leave the College and move to a less “disturbing” location, such as the police station. But the SAC members flatly refused and demanded that some resolution be arrived at, otherwise they were willing to stake out the premises for as long as it took. Eventually, the DSP asked that Diep and Raheem tell him exactly what happened. At this point, Diep started narrating how they were dragged into the premises and beaten by College personnel. As she was showing him the path, the College personnel got infuriated. Banking on the fact that they were employed by Mian Amir Mehmood, they took an aggressive attitude towards the DSP and virtually ordered him off the premises, daring him to challenge their authority. Humbled and humiliated,, the officer left the premises. Some SAC members were enraged at this concrete proof of the adage “he who has the stick, has the buffalo”. After a brief verbal altercation with the College personnel, other SAC members intervened and defused the situation. At this point, the SAC and the lawyers conferred and it was decided that while the lawyers negotiated with the police, the SAC members would head to the Lahore Press Club.

At the Press Club, the Students Action Committee staged a small demonstration, prepared a new press release, and informed various media channels (newspapers and television) of the events of the day.

The SAC held a protest demonstration at the Press Club in support of their injured colleagues on Sunday, 3rd February.

(Written by Amanullah Kariapper , based on narratives by Raheem, Diep and Umayr)