Judge hits out at Pakistan police violence


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Judge hits out at Pakistan police violence

10/1/2007 - 12:51:22 PM

Two top police officials were suspended in Pakistan today over a crackdown that wounded dozens of journalists and lawyers during protests against President Pervez Musharraf’s attempts at re-election.

The order came amid rising tensions ahead of Saturday’s presidential ballot, when General Musharraf is expected to win another five-year term.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry summoned officials to explain why police used batons and tear gas against lawyers protesting on Saturday in Islamabad.

The judge ordered the suspension of city and district police chiefs as well as the deputy head of the city administration.

Media reports “have shown the brutality of the police and law enforcing agencies,” he said.

The Foreign Ministry said the violence was bad for the country’s image.

“This is not what Pakistan is all about, ”a ministry spokeswoman said. “It was an aberration, I hope.”

The US and EU last month expressed concern at the arrest of scores of opposition activists to prevent them from taking part in protests.

Rival presidential candidates were expected to submit new legal challenges to General Musharraf’s candidacy in the Supreme Court, even though it has already dismissed several complaints.

Opposition parties have said their lawmakers will quit the federal and provincial assemblies, which together elect the president, tomorrow to undermine the credibility of the vote.

Leaders in North West Frontier Province, where the administration is headed by hardline Islamists, are also vowing to dissolve the provincial assembly.

General Musharraf, who took power in a 1999 coup and has become a key US ally in its war on terrorism, wants to be re-elected while he is still army chief.

Opponents claim that would violate the constitution, although the general has pledged to give up his military post if he wins.

Despite dwindling popularity and increasingly bitter opposition, he seems set to win the election.

The ruling coalition says it has the numbers it needs, and even the general’s main challenger, retired Judge Wajihuddin Ahmed, has admitted he does not have much of a chance.