In less than four weeks Farooq Tariq, General Secretary of the Labour Party
Pakistan, was arrested for a second time in early hours of Tuesday, 5th June 2007, by a heavy contingent of Punjab Police from his residence in Lahore. [1] He has been detained at Harbanspura Police Station, Lahore.
It may be mentioned
that Farooq was also arrested to stop his participation in reception for Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry
in Lahore on May 4, 2007 and detained for three days. Talking to media men
and party members after his arrest at police station, Farooq has said that he
was arrested without any warrants. He said the state and its illegal tactics
cannot force him to bow and vowed to continue struggle against dictatorship.
Meanwhile Raja Saleemulla, advocate, has filed a habeas corpus petition
against the police in the court of Sessions Judge Rauf Sheikh, who has
issued notice to SHO Harbanispura Police Station to produce Farooq Tariq at
9am Wednesday 6the June. Syed Mohammad Shah, President of the Lahore Bar
Association, and senior advocate Ejaz Hussain will appear in court on behalf
of the petitioner.
Labour Party thinks that the immediate reason of Farooq Tariq arrest is his
proactive role in the Lawyers movement, his participation in 4 May Press
conference against PEMRA (Pakistan electronic Media Regulatory Authority)
action against the media as well as the announcement of a Free Media Conference
being organized by LLP on 6th June at Lahore Press Club.
A number of political parties, organization, trade unions have condemned the
arrest and demanded immediate release of Farooq Tariq. Several political
workers, leaders and friends have visited Farooq Tariq at police station to
show their solidarity. LPP is going to hold a protest demonstation against his
arrest at 5 pm on Tuesday in front of the LahorePress Club.
Khaliq Shah on behalf of LPP
Labour Party Pakistan
40-Abbot Road Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: 92 42 6315162 Fax: 92 42 6271149 Mobile: 92 300 8411945,
Write solidarity messages to:
labourpartypk yahoo.com
www.laborpakistan.org www.jeddojuhd.com
Note
1. Concerning the previous arrest, see:
Farooq Tariq’s detention “suspended”
ESSF condemns Farooq Tariq’s arrest
Letter to the LPP
As it did a month ago, after the previous arrest, Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF), France condemns the latest arrest of Farooq Tariq, General Secretary of the Labour
Party Pakistan, by Punjab Police on Tuesday June 5, 2007 —as well as the arrest of other progressive and democratic activists in Lahore and Pakistan.
This is a repeted and blatant
attack on democratic rights.
We join others in demanding that he and others be
released immediately.
Yours in solidarity
Pierre Rousset
Europe solidaire sans frontières (ESSF)
Update information
On 6/6/07, LAHORE SOCIAL FORUM
Dear All,
I am working fulltime on FAROOQ TARIQ case since his fresh arrest (05-06-07)
by the police. The task is delegated to me by the Labour Party Pakistan. My
findings and progress is as follow.
• Police has no detention orders (up till now) for him, so we can say the
arrestigation is very illegal.
• Yesterday he was initially detained in Hurbancepura police station from
4:00 am to 10:00 pm. Many civil society activists visited to him including
Joint Action Committee and Pakistan Social Forum’s officials.
• At 10:00 pm yesterday he was shifted on unknown place by the police.
• By a provision of the law, within 24 hours of the arrest police have to
produce the arrestee with the statement of alligation/alligations or some
evidences to the duty session Judge. After the arguments by the lawyers and
judgment, Judge may send him to jail or retain him with the police for
further investigation.
• Now the limit of 24 hours is crucial, to avoid the provision of law police
shifted him to another unknown place before the 24 hours are passed.
• Police officials are denying providing any information or legal status to
anybody regarding Farooq.
• A habeas corpus petition against the police by the Lahore Bar Association
is in process.
• Today SHO provide some false statements/allegations verbally before the
Judge and did not produce Farooq as per notice given by the court.
• The Court passed fresh orders to Police Superintend of the region to
produce Farooq tomorrow with the allegations or detention orders by the
interior ministry. Now the date 07-06-2007 would be important in this
regard.
• All District Bar Associations of Lahore, High court Bar Associations, Media
Associations, Political Parties and civil society organizations are in
solidarity with us.
• I hope the state cannot detain Farooq for more days.
In solidarity
Nasir Iqbal