Members of the People’s Resistance staged a token hunger strike today at the Karachi Press Club for the restoration of Judiciary in Pakistan – Full Press Release Below
PRESS RELEASE
Peoples Resistance, a coalition of concerned citizens, organizations and political parties has organized the hunger strike outside the Karachi Press Club on December 26, 2007 to demand for the restoration of the pre-Nov 3, 2007 Judiciary.
The Peoples Resistance has been agitating against the brutal arrests and handling of the lawyers community. Recently, Mr Aitizaz Ahsan was brutally attacked on Eid Day. Other eminent judges and lawyers remain under house arrest. The fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan including freedom of speech, assembly and protest are being viciously curbed. It is evident that even after the removal of emergency the above mentioned rights have not been restored.
The suicide attack in Charsadda, NWFP on Eid day is a stark proof of the failure of the current dictatorial regime of General Pervaiz Musharraf (Retd) to guarantee the safety and security of the people of Pakistan. Since November 3, there are everyday reports of loss of life and livelihood as a result of the military operation in Swat. In addition, killings and civil unrest continues on a daily basic in Balochistan. The vast amount of aid received from the US in the name of curbing terrorism in Pakistan has in fact aggravated the situation, leading to massive popular unrest and migration of people fleeing to protect their lives.
Peoples Resistance calls for the boycott of Elections scheduled for January 8, and the immediate restoration of the fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan, including lifting media curbs. In addition, Peoples Resistance demands for holding fair and free elections outside the illegal presidency of General Musharraf (Retd).