LAHORE: Farooq Tariq and other political prisoners in central jail Bahawalpur are facing inhuman conditions imposed by the jail authorities. 10 to 12 prisoners have been bundled in every room with severe lack of food, water and latrine facilities in a high temperature these days, ranging from 48 to 50 degree centigrade. Political prisoners are not being treated according to the jail rules, Farooq said as quoted by Mr. Saeed, Farooq’s elder brother who visited him in jail on Wednesday. It may be recalled that no body is allowed to meet Farooq in jail without prior permission of the Home Secretary.

According to Farooq, quoted by Saeed, he was given mental torture constantly as, after arrest on June 5, he was driven on unknown roads and places for more than two hours. Despite his repeated queries police did not speak to him and gave threatening expressions. Again on June 9 he was alone taken to Bahawalpur in a truck. During an 8 hour journey, he was not even allowed to a make phone call to his family. The purpose of taking him alone was nothing but to give mental torture. There is enough evidence that 6 other political prisoners were also taken from Lahore to Bahawalpur the same day in a separate truck.

After reaching jail the authorities just dumped him along with other political prisoners in a room. They were denied access to information and other basic needs. As a protest, Farooq and other political prisoners went on token hunger strike against this inhuman treatment of jail authorities. On which jail authorities showed a bit relaxation in their attitude.

Meanwhile, Labour Party Pakistan has condemned the ill treatment to Farooq Tariq and other political prisoners in jail and appealed to all human rights activists to protest against the severe violations of fundamental human rights in Pakistan. LPP has also challenged the detention of Farooq Tariq in Lahore High Court on Tuesday and renowned lawyer Abid Hassan Manto is going to plead the case on Thursday.

Protest demo against Farooq Tariq’s detention

LAHORE: Labour Party Pakistan (LPP) Tuesday (12 June) organised a protest demonstration against the illegal detention of LPP’s General Secretary Farooq Tariq in front of Lahore Press Club. Braving a high temperature of 47 degree centigrade, over 300 protestors gathered at 4:30 pm amidst sizzling heat in Lahore. They were raising slogans against General Pervaiz Mushrraf regime and demanding immediate release of LPP leader and all other political prisoners. They were holding posters with Farooq pictures, banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the repressive regime of General Mushrraf. The charged crowd chanted anti- Mushrraf slogans with full voice while police looked on. The red party flags were hurling all around. Among most recited slogans include “Go Mushraff go”, “Release Farooq Tariq,” “Free Farooq Tariq and political activists”, “No to dictatorship”, “No role for army in politics”, etc.

A large number of LPP workers, representatives of civil society organizations, trade unions and political parties participated in the protest demo. At the end of the demo, some activists delivered brief speeches. They vowed to continue struggle against Mushrraf regime and demanded of the government to withdraw cases and immediately release Farooq Tariq and all other political prisoners.

Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion include Secretary Pakistan Social Forum Irfan Mufti, Convener Lahore High Court lawyers committee for coordination with civil society Kawar Hehmood Khatana, President All Pakistan Teachers Federation Muhammad Azam Butt, General Secretary National Workers Party, Malik Aslam, Chairperson Labour Party Pakistan, Nisar Shah, Prof. Nisar Saffadar advocate, Mahmood Butt General Secretary All Pakistan Bhatta Mazdoor Union, Azra Shad Chairperson Women Workers Help Line, Yousif Baloch and Moin Nawaz Pannu of National Trade Union Federation and Eng. Saleemulla of Jamiat Ulamia Pakistan.

The protesters peacefully dispersed after one hour demonstration.

Khaliq shah On behalf of LPP

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