Despite the threat of being arrested, the LPP women activists wearing black head bands inscribed with GO Musharaf Go, were holding placards with slogans against imposition of martial Law. They raised full throat slogans against Musharaf and Martial Law. The slogans were “free Media and Judiciary”, Release political activists”,” stop crackdown and arrests”, down with Martial Law.
This was the first demonstration at Laxshmi Chouck, one of the busiest in Central Lahore.
People in large number gathered there to observe the women chanting anti-Mushraff slogans. They made victory signs and muster their support.
It may be mentioned that after the imposition of Martial law on Nov 3, there is complete ban on demonstrations, rallies and even meetings. A series of crackdown and arrested have been on in the last two weeks. Thousands of lawyers, social and political activists are arrested. The Musharaf regime has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against any sort of public protest. It is really difficult under the prevailing state oppression to organize any protest against Musharaf.
The situation demands the breaking of the silence and action to register protest against General Musharaf in Lahore particular. The level of repression is much greater in Lahore than other parts of Pakistan. The LPP women decided not to keep silent and a strategy was devised to organize a protest demo by all means. A meeting was called to discuss the strategy. The dominant view was in favor of a flash demo at the busy and rushy Laxshmi Chouck; Lahore was selected as the venue. It was decided not to issue press release of this demonstration before the demonstration and media would be informed only half an hour before the demo. All the women would meet at the certain point before marching to the demo point.
It was decided that in case of police action, all women will put up strong resistance and if they tried to arrest any of them, the rest of the all women will present their arrest.
The demo was continued for half an hour. Till the end of the demo, good luck to the demonstrators, the police could not reach the busy point. So women safely concluded their protest. Electronic and printed media duly covered the event.
Farooq Tariq
general secretary
Labour Party Pakistan
40-Abbot Road Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: 92 42 6315162
Fax: 92 42 6271149
Mobile: 92 300 8411945,
labourpartypk yahoo.com
www.laborpakistan.org www.jeddojuhd.com