Law and order worries Pak. Govt.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 11 Tomorrow is the first Friday after the U.S. launched attacks on Afghanistan and every one is keeping their fingers crossed on the law and order front in Pakistan, with reports of rising civilian casualties in the wake of the relentless bombardment.

Also, tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the bloodless coup by Gen. Pervez Musharraf which saw ouster of Mr. Nawaz Sharif. With tension in the air, the second anniversary of the coup is hardly being talked about either by the media or by the common man.

In contrast to the high-profile functions and celebrations by the military regime last year, there is no festivity now. Amidst reports of rising civilian casualties and indications of a protracted war in Afghanistan, the biggest worry of the Musharraf Government is law and order. Gen. Musharraf today presided over a meeting of law and order agencies to take stock of the situation and to ensure that the situation does not get out of control. He directed the agencies to move firmly, swiftly and efficiently against lawbreakers. ``The whole of Pakistan wants action against all those who want to disrupt peace, trade and business,'' he said in an obvious reference to the protests planned by some religious groups after the routine Friday prayers.

Mosques would not be allowed for disruptive activities. All provocative posters and graffiti trying to create hatred, sectarian and ethnic divide would not be allowed. The President warned the Afghan refugees not to take part in any protest.

More than the street protests, the Government seems to be affected on what is seen as `sensational' reporting by a section of the international media. Wednesday's developments best illustrate the point. The Karachi stock market crashed following wild rumours of a coup.

The `mysterious' blaze that engulfed the army headquarters on Wednesday appears to have spurred the rumours. After presiding over a cabinet meeting in the evening, Gen. Musharraf appealed to the people to be wary of gossip.

Demonstrations continue

Meanwhile, the anti-U.S. demonstrations continued for the fifth consecutive day but no violent incident has been reported. According to the local dailies, tension was still prevailing in Bajaur, Khyber and Malakand Agencies. On Wednesday, agitated tribesmen took out a procession in Darra Adamkhel and fired hundreds of rounds at the U.S. President, George Bush's effigy to express anger.

In Bajaur Agency, thousands of tribesmen are said to be enrolling their name for jehad in Afghanistan apart from collecting gold to help the Taliban. Though the arrest of Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Maulana Samiul Haq has affected the intensity of the demonstrations, participation of thousands of people in a rally in Hangu was a matter of concern for the local administration.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Award a tribute to England, India, says Naipaul
Next     : Pak. readies for more refugee influx