Saturday, Jul 13, 2002
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By B. Muralidhar Reddy
The ARD — a conglomerate of 15 or so parties opposed to the Musharraf Government's policies — claimed that they had obtained prior permission to hold the rally but were asked to shift to another venue. Police, ostensibly for security reasons, sealed the ground where the rally was to be held. The ban on outdoor political activity has been in operation in Pakistan since January 2000. It was imposed during the five-hour visit of the then United States President, Bill Clinton, to Islamabad, on security grounds. Repeated pleas by parties to lift the ban has not been heeded with the Musharraf Government claiming that shows by parties on public grounds adversely impacted its seven-point agenda for rebuilding and reconstruction of the country. In contrast to the ban on political rallies, the military Government was liberal in granting permission to religious parties and groups. But the attitude of the Government towards these groups changed after September 11. The only occasion when the Opposition was allowed to hold a rally was during the presidential referendum campaign. The relaxation came after parties and the Press accused the Punjab administration of not gathering impressive crowds for the inaugural rally of Gen. Musharraf. It was only after Gen. Musharraf challenged those opposed to the referendum to demonstrate their mass base by holding a rally at the same venue that the Punjab administration allowed them to hold a public meeting at Minar-e-Pakistan. At every convention and closed-door meeting, parties have been asking the Government to lift the ban. The decision by authorities in Multan to block the ARD rally has left the rank and file of various parties wondering as to what kind of freedom they would enjoy in the run-up to the October elections.
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