Stray violence mars protest in Pak.

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 12. The military Government in Pakistan has reasons to heave a sigh of relief as the first Friday after the U.S.-led air strikes on Afghanistan passed off peacefully.

Given the sense of uncertainty and tension, the Musharraf Government could not have asked for a better gift as it entered the third year in office. It was on October 12, 1999 that Gen. Musharraf strode to power after overthrowing Mr. Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup.

Only Karachi witnessed some trouble, where the pro-Taliban activists fired on police resulting in injuries to four persons. The popular U.S. outlet, Kentucky Fried Chicken, was ransacked and some vehicles and buildings were damaged as anti-U.S. protesters menacingly marched through the streets.

Tough measures taken by the Government appear to have had the desired impact. A high-level meeting, presided over by Gen. Musharraf, on Thursday evening decided to deport any Afghan seen taking part in demonstrations and rallies. The Government gave a stern warning to the anti-Taliban elements that it would not tolerate any disruptive activities.

There were reports of huge demonstrations from every part of the country, but there were no untoward incidents. What should be a matter of great relief to the Musharraf regime is the report from the provinces of Baluchistan and NorthWest Frontier Province. The provinces, bordering Afghanistan, have been the theatre of all action ever since the Pakistan Government decided to side with the U.S. in its fight against Osama bin Laden and the Taliban militia. The protests turned violent the day after the first air raids by the U.S.-led forces last Sunday.

Reports suggest that the rhetoric of the religious leaders, opposed to the Government policy on Afghanistan, continue to be very provocative.

Reports from Karachi said demonstrators chanting anti-U.S. slogans tried to damage banks and Government offices. The crowd entered a government office in Lyari district of Karachi and set fire to two government-owned cars.

Police fired teargas shells to break up the protests as smoke rose from burning tyres. Streets were almost deserted with people staying indoors after the Afghanistan-Pakistan Defense Council called for a strike throughout the southern Sindh province.

In Quetta, police took up positions on rooftops and U.N. buildings to prevent another riot, like that in which the U.N. offices were torched on Monday. Armored vehicles and truckloads of troops patrolled the city, capital of Baluchistan province.

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Section  : International
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