Mukhtar Mai's December 11th Fundraiser in Sacramento
Ras Siddiqui November 13, 2007
#40 Posted by teshah on October 12, 2009 6:03:29 am
Re: # 39
Read this also dear Kulharee Saab:
"The curious case of Mukhtar Mai
Monday, March 30, 2009
Salman K Chima
12 Angry Men is a movie worth seeing. It is about a murder trial. Eleven out of twelve jurors are convinced that the accused is guilty of murder – no doubt about it. They are interested in a quick verdict, to be free of further ordeal. One lone juror insists that they at least consider the possibility that the defendant is unjustly accused.
I should not give away the plot any further. However, one has been repeatedly reminded of this movie by the unending barrage of letters, editorials and articles on the Mukhtar Mai case over the last few years. Each – the most eminent writers included – convinced beyond doubt that the accused are guilty and deserve no mercy! In contrast, I say no more than that we should at least consider the possibility that the accused may perhaps be innocent.
Like in most disputes, there are two versions.
Mukhtar Mai’s version:
1. Mukhtar Mai’s brother, Shakoor, was found with Salma, the sister of the main accused, Khaliq.
2. This antagonised the accused party and Shakoor was handed over to the police.
3. The parties agreed to refer the matter to a panchayat.
5. Khaliq’s representatives on the panchayat declared that Mukhtar Mai should be raped, as revenge for Shakoor’s misbehaviour. Shakoor’s representatives disagreed and left.
6. Mukhtar Mai’s maternal uncle then brought her over to apologise for her brother’s conduct.
7. When Mukhtar Mai came to apologise, the accused, Khaliq, his brother and two others dragged her to their dera and raped her for an hour or so – while her father, uncle and other villagers waited outside
8. This happened on June 22, 2002 – the same day Shakoor was found with Salma.
9. The matter was reported to the police on June 30, 2002.
The accused party’s version:
Up to point three the two versions are identical – but then comes the variance.
According to the accused:
1. The panchayat resolved that Salma should be married to Shakoor (Mukhtar Mai’s brother) and Mukhtar Mai should be married to Khaliq.
2. Mukhtar Mai was then married to Khaliq on June 22, 2002 (through a nikah), and lived with him as his wife for a few days
3. Shakoor at the time was in police custody, and both parties jointly got him released after Mukhtar Mai’s nikah with Khaliq.
4. Salma was later married to one of the other accused on June 27, 2002.
5. The accused party asserts that it is on this occurrence (i.e., when contrary to the panchayat verdict Salma was married to one of the accused) that the gang rape case was filed by Mukhtar Mai.
6. According to the accused party, however, no gang rape took place
One significant fact is that medical examination of Mukhtar Mai was conducted on June 30, 2002. The doctor reported two relatively minor abrasions. Also, swabs taken from internal examination showed presence of semen (which proved that Mukhtar Mai had been subjected to intercourse).
The general belief remains that Mukhtar Mai is telling the truth – why else would a woman openly admit that she was gang raped! Not easy to find a convincing answer – though enmity encouraged by vested interests can cause irrational behaviour.
However, there are circumstances in this case which require even-handed evaluation. The following may be considered:
1. The fact that the panchayat was convened suggests that the parties acted with some parity – otherwise the stronger party would have forced its way.
2. It is also established by the prosecution’s evidence that Mukhtar Mai’s family was financially stronger than that of the accused. This eliminates the possibility that the accused were influential persons who abused their superior financial/social position. (Some journalists have reported that the family of the accused lives in a mud house of three rooms – 17 inhabitants in all.)
3. It is also on record that Mukhtar Mai’s brother, upon being caught by Khaliq, was handed over to the police. This suggests that the accused did not feel it within their power to deal with him on their own.
4. It is admitted by Mukhtar Mai that her brother was released by the police (at 2 a.m.) the same night as the occurrence – on account of a joint request by the parties (in which one of the accused personally went to the police station to have him released). This needs to be seen in the light of the fact that, according to both versions, the issue had arisen out of Shakoor’s conduct. So, while it is possible that after brutally raping Mukhtar Mai – for Shakoor’s fault, really – the accused party had a change of heart and may have gone to the police station at 2 a.m. at night to get Shakoor released; yet, can a contrary possibility be ruled out!
5. Mukhtar Mai has stated before the trial court that “probably I would have agreed to marriage with Abdul Khaliq accused, in case the offer of our panchayat ref marriages of Salma with Shakoor and in badla my marriage with Abdul Khaliq had been accepted.” Can one rule out the possibility that this is exactly why her uncle brought her over?
6. Mukhtar Mai has accepted in her evidence that she visited the house of the accused earlier in the day, to apologise for her brother’s conduct. She does not allege that she was raped by the accused at that time – though they would have had ample opportunity.
7. It is an established fact that the occurrence was not reported to the police for eight days. The prosecution says this is because the accused party was pressurising the complainant. That is, of course, possible, and does frequently happen. But, equally, can one rule out the possibility that the occurrence was reported (or cooked up) once it transpired that the accused had not kept their side of the bargain – i.e., when Salma was married to one of the accused on June 27 (a fact admitted during the trial).
8. Mukhtar Mai states that her father was a witness to her being dragged by the accused for rape, and received her after the crime had been committed. The father did not step forward to give evidence in support of Mukhtar Mai.
9. Mukhtar Mai says that she was dragged, pushed, beaten and then raped for one hour by four persons. The doctor, however, has reported no visible injuries – except for two minor abrasions.
10. Mukhtar Mai alleges that she was raped at the dera of two of the accused, Khaliq and Allah Ditta. She has admitted as well that this is the same dera where their mother, sisters, and the wife and children of Allah Ditta also reside, and that they were at home at the time of the incident. Is it likely that the accused may have raped Mukhtar Mai in the virtual presence of their own women? Or should one consider the possibility that it may not be so?
11. And now perhaps the most important aspect of the case. The medical report shows that semen was found during Mukhtar Mai’s internal examination. This would prove that intercourse took place. However, that in itself is equally consistent with both versions. Even the accused admit that intercourse took place; however, they allege that this was pursuant to a nikah between Khaliq and Mukhtar Mai and not on account of rape.
Still, the presence of semen sheds important light. There are two possibilities here:
1. The first is that the semen pertained to the occurrence alleged by Mai, which took place eight days earlier. Medical science suggests that even non-motile sperm would not normally be found more than 72 hours after occurrence (though, exceptionally, semen can be detected well beyond this time period). However, forensic medicine recommends that such internal examination be conducted no later than 72 hours after the occurrence.
2. The other possibility is that the semen detected in Mukhtar Mai’s examination pertained to a more recent intercourse (probably within the last 72 hours of the examination).
Let us weigh these competing possibilities. According to Mukhtar Mai’s version she was subjected to intercourse eight days prior to the medical examination. Medical science suggests that presence of semen after so many days is possible, but not likely. On the other hand, the accused maintain that Mukhtar Mai lived with Khaliq as his wife until close to the filing of the FIR. In which case, the presence of semen would not just be possible but likely. Intriguingly, medical science may perhaps support the version of the accused more than that of Mukhtar Mai.
Is it possible, then, that these are perhaps innocent people unjustly accused? I do not raise this as more than just a possibility.
Fortunately, we will not have to speculate as the matter is with the Supreme Court. One has no doubt that the court will decide justly and properly, on the basis of record and legal principles, and not public perception.
The writer is a Lahore-based lawyer. Email: salman chima@gmail.com"
Btw, what about the marriage of that fraud Mai with Gabol?
Read this also dear Kulharee Saab:
"The curious case of Mukhtar Mai
Monday, March 30, 2009
Salman K Chima
12 Angry Men is a movie worth seeing. It is about a murder trial. Eleven out of twelve jurors are convinced that the accused is guilty of murder – no doubt about it. They are interested in a quick verdict, to be free of further ordeal. One lone juror insists that they at least consider the possibility that the defendant is unjustly accused.
I should not give away the plot any further. However, one has been repeatedly reminded of this movie by the unending barrage of letters, editorials and articles on the Mukhtar Mai case over the last few years. Each – the most eminent writers included – convinced beyond doubt that the accused are guilty and deserve no mercy! In contrast, I say no more than that we should at least consider the possibility that the accused may perhaps be innocent.
Like in most disputes, there are two versions.
Mukhtar Mai’s version:
1. Mukhtar Mai’s brother, Shakoor, was found with Salma, the sister of the main accused, Khaliq.
2. This antagonised the accused party and Shakoor was handed over to the police.
3. The parties agreed to refer the matter to a panchayat.
5. Khaliq’s representatives on the panchayat declared that Mukhtar Mai should be raped, as revenge for Shakoor’s misbehaviour. Shakoor’s representatives disagreed and left.
6. Mukhtar Mai’s maternal uncle then brought her over to apologise for her brother’s conduct.
7. When Mukhtar Mai came to apologise, the accused, Khaliq, his brother and two others dragged her to their dera and raped her for an hour or so – while her father, uncle and other villagers waited outside
8. This happened on June 22, 2002 – the same day Shakoor was found with Salma.
9. The matter was reported to the police on June 30, 2002.
The accused party’s version:
Up to point three the two versions are identical – but then comes the variance.
According to the accused:
1. The panchayat resolved that Salma should be married to Shakoor (Mukhtar Mai’s brother) and Mukhtar Mai should be married to Khaliq.
2. Mukhtar Mai was then married to Khaliq on June 22, 2002 (through a nikah), and lived with him as his wife for a few days
3. Shakoor at the time was in police custody, and both parties jointly got him released after Mukhtar Mai’s nikah with Khaliq.
4. Salma was later married to one of the other accused on June 27, 2002.
5. The accused party asserts that it is on this occurrence (i.e., when contrary to the panchayat verdict Salma was married to one of the accused) that the gang rape case was filed by Mukhtar Mai.
6. According to the accused party, however, no gang rape took place
One significant fact is that medical examination of Mukhtar Mai was conducted on June 30, 2002. The doctor reported two relatively minor abrasions. Also, swabs taken from internal examination showed presence of semen (which proved that Mukhtar Mai had been subjected to intercourse).
The general belief remains that Mukhtar Mai is telling the truth – why else would a woman openly admit that she was gang raped! Not easy to find a convincing answer – though enmity encouraged by vested interests can cause irrational behaviour.
However, there are circumstances in this case which require even-handed evaluation. The following may be considered:
1. The fact that the panchayat was convened suggests that the parties acted with some parity – otherwise the stronger party would have forced its way.
2. It is also established by the prosecution’s evidence that Mukhtar Mai’s family was financially stronger than that of the accused. This eliminates the possibility that the accused were influential persons who abused their superior financial/social position. (Some journalists have reported that the family of the accused lives in a mud house of three rooms – 17 inhabitants in all.)
3. It is also on record that Mukhtar Mai’s brother, upon being caught by Khaliq, was handed over to the police. This suggests that the accused did not feel it within their power to deal with him on their own.
4. It is admitted by Mukhtar Mai that her brother was released by the police (at 2 a.m.) the same night as the occurrence – on account of a joint request by the parties (in which one of the accused personally went to the police station to have him released). This needs to be seen in the light of the fact that, according to both versions, the issue had arisen out of Shakoor’s conduct. So, while it is possible that after brutally raping Mukhtar Mai – for Shakoor’s fault, really – the accused party had a change of heart and may have gone to the police station at 2 a.m. at night to get Shakoor released; yet, can a contrary possibility be ruled out!
5. Mukhtar Mai has stated before the trial court that “probably I would have agreed to marriage with Abdul Khaliq accused, in case the offer of our panchayat ref marriages of Salma with Shakoor and in badla my marriage with Abdul Khaliq had been accepted.” Can one rule out the possibility that this is exactly why her uncle brought her over?
6. Mukhtar Mai has accepted in her evidence that she visited the house of the accused earlier in the day, to apologise for her brother’s conduct. She does not allege that she was raped by the accused at that time – though they would have had ample opportunity.
7. It is an established fact that the occurrence was not reported to the police for eight days. The prosecution says this is because the accused party was pressurising the complainant. That is, of course, possible, and does frequently happen. But, equally, can one rule out the possibility that the occurrence was reported (or cooked up) once it transpired that the accused had not kept their side of the bargain – i.e., when Salma was married to one of the accused on June 27 (a fact admitted during the trial).
8. Mukhtar Mai states that her father was a witness to her being dragged by the accused for rape, and received her after the crime had been committed. The father did not step forward to give evidence in support of Mukhtar Mai.
9. Mukhtar Mai says that she was dragged, pushed, beaten and then raped for one hour by four persons. The doctor, however, has reported no visible injuries – except for two minor abrasions.
10. Mukhtar Mai alleges that she was raped at the dera of two of the accused, Khaliq and Allah Ditta. She has admitted as well that this is the same dera where their mother, sisters, and the wife and children of Allah Ditta also reside, and that they were at home at the time of the incident. Is it likely that the accused may have raped Mukhtar Mai in the virtual presence of their own women? Or should one consider the possibility that it may not be so?
11. And now perhaps the most important aspect of the case. The medical report shows that semen was found during Mukhtar Mai’s internal examination. This would prove that intercourse took place. However, that in itself is equally consistent with both versions. Even the accused admit that intercourse took place; however, they allege that this was pursuant to a nikah between Khaliq and Mukhtar Mai and not on account of rape.
Still, the presence of semen sheds important light. There are two possibilities here:
1. The first is that the semen pertained to the occurrence alleged by Mai, which took place eight days earlier. Medical science suggests that even non-motile sperm would not normally be found more than 72 hours after occurrence (though, exceptionally, semen can be detected well beyond this time period). However, forensic medicine recommends that such internal examination be conducted no later than 72 hours after the occurrence.
2. The other possibility is that the semen detected in Mukhtar Mai’s examination pertained to a more recent intercourse (probably within the last 72 hours of the examination).
Let us weigh these competing possibilities. According to Mukhtar Mai’s version she was subjected to intercourse eight days prior to the medical examination. Medical science suggests that presence of semen after so many days is possible, but not likely. On the other hand, the accused maintain that Mukhtar Mai lived with Khaliq as his wife until close to the filing of the FIR. In which case, the presence of semen would not just be possible but likely. Intriguingly, medical science may perhaps support the version of the accused more than that of Mukhtar Mai.
Is it possible, then, that these are perhaps innocent people unjustly accused? I do not raise this as more than just a possibility.
Fortunately, we will not have to speculate as the matter is with the Supreme Court. One has no doubt that the court will decide justly and properly, on the basis of record and legal principles, and not public perception.
The writer is a Lahore-based lawyer. Email: salman chima@gmail.com"
Btw, what about the marriage of that fraud Mai with Gabol?
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#39 Posted by Kulharee on December 11, 2007 6:33:11 am
Re # #7, 38, My Dear Tamasha Saab – read this news and suck on it. Hope it makes you feel better about your miserable little piece of shyt life. Enjoy the article, and share it with your sisters as well. Thanks.
Here is the link in case: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\12\11\story_11-12-2007_pg7_7
Mukhtar Mai called the Rosa Parks of Pakistan
* Mai visits US to raise money for her school, clinic and women’s shelter
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Mukhtar Mai, who has become quite a cult figure here, was honoured with a standing ovation at a well-attended event in Sacramento, California, on Sunday.
Mai, a local newspaper said, had “brought her message of hope and courage? to the city. She spoke to a mixed religious gathering, describing how she had opened the first school in her village and challenged a feudal system that had imposed tribal justice for centuries.
She is in the US to raise money for her school, a clinic and a women’s shelter now operating out of her home. “My motto is, injustice should be fought with knowledge,? she told her audience, speaking in Urdu. “Sometimes men forget there are women’s rights,? she added. She told the newspaper Sacramento Bee, “I’d never heard of school; in my village there never was a school. The first school I went to was my own. I’m still in fifth grade. I can read Urdu with difficulty.? Her school now educates 700 girls and 300 boys, ages 4-13. She said that she had not yet forgiven her attackers. “I asked that their kids come to my school, because illiteracy is what caused this,? she said, adding that five of their sons now attend, “but their daughters are not coming?.
Pakistani-American journalist Ras Siddiqui said while some Pakistani Americans “see Mai as airing our dirty laundry in public – this incident doesn’t represent normal Pakistani life – most applaud this brave woman from rural Pakistan promoting education and women’s empowerment after herself being a victim of the worst kind of abuse?. Siddiqui noted that despite all the attention focused on religious extremists in Pakistan, “it was the village imam who first spoke up in defence of Mukhtar after she was attacked. But it was Mai herself who turned the tables on her attackers?.
Mai is due to sign her book, ‘In The Name of Honor’, at a major bookstore before attending a fundraiser at a five-star hotel.
Here is the link in case: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\12\11\story_11-12-2007_pg7_7
Mukhtar Mai called the Rosa Parks of Pakistan
* Mai visits US to raise money for her school, clinic and women’s shelter
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Mukhtar Mai, who has become quite a cult figure here, was honoured with a standing ovation at a well-attended event in Sacramento, California, on Sunday.
Mai, a local newspaper said, had “brought her message of hope and courage? to the city. She spoke to a mixed religious gathering, describing how she had opened the first school in her village and challenged a feudal system that had imposed tribal justice for centuries.
She is in the US to raise money for her school, a clinic and a women’s shelter now operating out of her home. “My motto is, injustice should be fought with knowledge,? she told her audience, speaking in Urdu. “Sometimes men forget there are women’s rights,? she added. She told the newspaper Sacramento Bee, “I’d never heard of school; in my village there never was a school. The first school I went to was my own. I’m still in fifth grade. I can read Urdu with difficulty.? Her school now educates 700 girls and 300 boys, ages 4-13. She said that she had not yet forgiven her attackers. “I asked that their kids come to my school, because illiteracy is what caused this,? she said, adding that five of their sons now attend, “but their daughters are not coming?.
Pakistani-American journalist Ras Siddiqui said while some Pakistani Americans “see Mai as airing our dirty laundry in public – this incident doesn’t represent normal Pakistani life – most applaud this brave woman from rural Pakistan promoting education and women’s empowerment after herself being a victim of the worst kind of abuse?. Siddiqui noted that despite all the attention focused on religious extremists in Pakistan, “it was the village imam who first spoke up in defence of Mukhtar after she was attacked. But it was Mai herself who turned the tables on her attackers?.
Mai is due to sign her book, ‘In The Name of Honor’, at a major bookstore before attending a fundraiser at a five-star hotel.
#38 Posted by teshah on December 6, 2007 6:26:16 pm
Re: # 37
Excuse me!
A correction in my previous post:
Please read ' honoured your sister' in place of 'fukked'.
Excuse me!
A correction in my previous post:
Please read ' honoured your sister' in place of 'fukked'.
#37 Posted by teshah on December 6, 2007 6:13:38 pm
Re: # 35
kulharee
Now you have turned to me becoming 'sincerely' personal as though I have fukked your... Excuse me I am not that stupid as you all MM pimps are.
kulharee
Now you have turned to me becoming 'sincerely' personal as though I have fukked your... Excuse me I am not that stupid as you all MM pimps are.
#36 Posted by tahmed32 on December 5, 2007 8:20:53 pm
#34 gues who is the interior minister? musharraf's lawyer, now on a Pakistan-paid trip to the US to go around trying to sell musharraf by rambling on with the same stupid lies (e.g. that Nov. 3 was not about the CJ, but about getting the terrorists) that only a moron would think anyone other than a moron would believe.
#35 Posted by Kulharee on December 5, 2007 7:26:57 pm
Re #31, Shah Saab, were you amongst those honorable men? The more you talk, the stupider you sound. I mean it in all sincerity.
#34 Posted by nasah on December 5, 2007 6:37:23 pm
BTW -- how the hell a retired Lt Gen Hamid Nawaz -- became the 'caretaker' Interior Minister of a supposedly non partisan impartial 'undertaker' of a 'free fair and transparent" transtional government?
Can the Qurashi guy who acts like an MP (Military Pimp) for Musharraf explain this kind of undertaking?
Can the Qurashi guy who acts like an MP (Military Pimp) for Musharraf explain this kind of undertaking?
#33 Posted by Ras on December 5, 2007 6:32:02 pm
Mukhtar Mai has arrived in the US and is
happily present in Arizona.
We hope to receive her here in Sacramento, California
on Saturday.
Ras
#32 Posted by nasah on December 5, 2007 6:26:14 pm
Re: # 28
"ISLAMABAD: The government will release Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, Advocate Ali Ahmed Kurd, Justice (r) Tariq Mehmood and other detainees in the next 72 hours, caretaker Interior Minister Lt Gen (r) Hamid Nawaz said on Wednesday."
Thank you Mrs. Patterson for making the Rottenwiler lick his own vomit.
"ISLAMABAD: The government will release Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, Advocate Ali Ahmed Kurd, Justice (r) Tariq Mehmood and other detainees in the next 72 hours, caretaker Interior Minister Lt Gen (r) Hamid Nawaz said on Wednesday."
Thank you Mrs. Patterson for making the Rottenwiler lick his own vomit.
#31 Posted by teshah on December 4, 2007 5:15:36 pm
Re: # 29
Arjun
"Why are you fundraising for a woman who, to quote the new Paki president and owner of a spanking new learjet, got herself raped to make a million $$ and get a canadian visa?"
And got honoured too (vide Tahmed32 at #19). What a win-win-win position it is! Is it not intriguing that her's is entirely a one-sided show as her alleged rapists (potentially all men can be accused of rape) are silent and deprived of gender sympathy for being accused of having been 'dishonoured' for executing the order of the Meerwala Punchayat to honour MM by raping her because her brother had 'honoured' the 'rapists'' sister. It all looks so bizarre to me.
Arjun
"Why are you fundraising for a woman who, to quote the new Paki president and owner of a spanking new learjet, got herself raped to make a million $$ and get a canadian visa?"
And got honoured too (vide Tahmed32 at #19). What a win-win-win position it is! Is it not intriguing that her's is entirely a one-sided show as her alleged rapists (potentially all men can be accused of rape) are silent and deprived of gender sympathy for being accused of having been 'dishonoured' for executing the order of the Meerwala Punchayat to honour MM by raping her because her brother had 'honoured' the 'rapists'' sister. It all looks so bizarre to me.
#30 Posted by Ras on December 4, 2007 7:28:18 am
For those interested
my email address is
rsiddiqui@surewest.net
Ras
#29 Posted by arjun8 on December 4, 2007 1:20:57 am
Why are you fundraising for a woman who, to quote the new Paki president and owner of a spanking new learjet, got herself raped to make a million $$ and get a canadian visa?
#28 Posted by nasah on December 3, 2007 10:41:52 pm
Bush's Rotweiler growls at Bush's envoy Mrs. Patterson -- for his "Huddee in his Shiskabab".
US ambssador barred from seeing Aitzaz Ahsan!!
"LAHORE, Dec 3: United States Ambassador Anne W. Patterson cast doubts about the sincerity of the government to hold free and fair elections after she was denied access to Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan here on Monday.
Ms Patterson, who had met former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, human rights activist Asma Jehangir and former chief minister of Punjab Pervaiz Elahi earlier in the day, arrived at Mr Ahsan’s residence in Zaman Park at 3:30pm and issued a brief statement to the press before being ushered inside his office for private talks with his wife.
Making at brief statement after emerging from the office half an hour later, she said: “Let me be clear -- we have consistently called for the release of all detainees. He is in custody, he cannot be seen and we have asked the government and urged the government to release him as soon as possible.?
“I think it certainly casts doubts on the capacity to hold free and fair elections. If candidates are under arrest, it makes it very difficult to hold a campaign.?
The ambassador was trailed to her car by two US human rights activists from Code Pink, chanting “Why is the Bush administration continuing to support Musharraf?? They had spent the previous night on a 24-hour vigil at Mr Ahsan’s residence.
A detention order issued on Sunday night extended Mr Ahsan’s home detention by 30 days. He “poses a grave threat to the public safety and is likely to cause breaches of public peace and order,? it stated."
Bush needs to send MISTER Patterson -- not Mrs. Patterson to shorten the leash after checking the K9 for the rabies virus.
US ambssador barred from seeing Aitzaz Ahsan!!
"LAHORE, Dec 3: United States Ambassador Anne W. Patterson cast doubts about the sincerity of the government to hold free and fair elections after she was denied access to Supreme Court Bar Association president Aitzaz Ahsan here on Monday.
Ms Patterson, who had met former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, human rights activist Asma Jehangir and former chief minister of Punjab Pervaiz Elahi earlier in the day, arrived at Mr Ahsan’s residence in Zaman Park at 3:30pm and issued a brief statement to the press before being ushered inside his office for private talks with his wife.
Making at brief statement after emerging from the office half an hour later, she said: “Let me be clear -- we have consistently called for the release of all detainees. He is in custody, he cannot be seen and we have asked the government and urged the government to release him as soon as possible.?
“I think it certainly casts doubts on the capacity to hold free and fair elections. If candidates are under arrest, it makes it very difficult to hold a campaign.?
The ambassador was trailed to her car by two US human rights activists from Code Pink, chanting “Why is the Bush administration continuing to support Musharraf?? They had spent the previous night on a 24-hour vigil at Mr Ahsan’s residence.
A detention order issued on Sunday night extended Mr Ahsan’s home detention by 30 days. He “poses a grave threat to the public safety and is likely to cause breaches of public peace and order,? it stated."
Bush needs to send MISTER Patterson -- not Mrs. Patterson to shorten the leash after checking the K9 for the rabies virus.
#27 Posted by nasah on December 3, 2007 7:44:46 pm
Thanks Ras -- here is the last paragraph of that Jang editorial on Aitzaz Ahsan:
"The question that comes to mind is… how can the entire government and the military and civil establishment be so scared of one man that they cannot let him get out of his home?
Is it because they FEAR that he may say something or move a petition in a court?
This is not a hypothetical but a valid question given the existing ground reality. Aitzaz is, by any yardstick, a popular politician, a brilliant orator and a successful lawyer -- right now he is the man the government is so scared of that he has again been caged for 30 days.
He is also a candidate in the Jan 8 election and how can he possibly woo his constituents if he is detained.
This would suggest that what the government is doing in his case is nothing more than pre-poll rigging -- and that too of the most blatant kind. Aitzaz must be released forthwith and allowed to campaign.
If the superior courts are helpless in providing this basic right to a very respected citizen, because of the emergency, President Musharraf must personally order his release as his continued detention has become a major international embarrassment for his new presidential tenure (of course house arrest of deposed judges and Geo TV's continued closure are other sticking points for Mr Musharraf).
As a cynic would say, if Aitzaz cannot be freed – since he is deemed too dangerous -- perhaps one shouldn't be surprised if all his opponents are also put under house arrest. i.e. if the government comes good on its oft-repeated claim that the Jan 8 election will be one with a level playing field for all candidates and parties. His continued arrest, that of the deposed judges and the ban on Geo, make the power structure in Islamabad look so fragile.(Daily Jang)
"The question that comes to mind is… how can the entire government and the military and civil establishment be so scared of one man that they cannot let him get out of his home?
Is it because they FEAR that he may say something or move a petition in a court?
This is not a hypothetical but a valid question given the existing ground reality. Aitzaz is, by any yardstick, a popular politician, a brilliant orator and a successful lawyer -- right now he is the man the government is so scared of that he has again been caged for 30 days.
He is also a candidate in the Jan 8 election and how can he possibly woo his constituents if he is detained.
This would suggest that what the government is doing in his case is nothing more than pre-poll rigging -- and that too of the most blatant kind. Aitzaz must be released forthwith and allowed to campaign.
If the superior courts are helpless in providing this basic right to a very respected citizen, because of the emergency, President Musharraf must personally order his release as his continued detention has become a major international embarrassment for his new presidential tenure (of course house arrest of deposed judges and Geo TV's continued closure are other sticking points for Mr Musharraf).
As a cynic would say, if Aitzaz cannot be freed – since he is deemed too dangerous -- perhaps one shouldn't be surprised if all his opponents are also put under house arrest. i.e. if the government comes good on its oft-repeated claim that the Jan 8 election will be one with a level playing field for all candidates and parties. His continued arrest, that of the deposed judges and the ban on Geo, make the power structure in Islamabad look so fragile.(Daily Jang)
#26 Posted by Ras on December 3, 2007 7:19:38 pm
Anil,
Pls Check your inbox.
nasah,
Pls Check
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=84166
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