Police have shifted several key opposition leaders to jail to pre-empt their planned demonstration in front of the Supreme Court on Monday against President Musharraf's bid to get re-elected for another term.
Makhdoom Javed Hashmi of Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed of six parties religio-political alliance were house arrested overnight. Several other top opposition leaders including Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Raja Zafarul Haq and Liaqat Baloch have also been kept under house arrest after they kicked off countrywide protest demonstrations to block President Musharraf's re-election.
The All Parties Democratic Movement has announced to quit the assemblies on September 29 when the election authorities are scheduled to scrutinise President Musharraf's nomination papers for upcoming contentious presidential polls.
The government says the crackdown on opposition leaders was in fact a step to maintain law and order, especially in wake of suicide attacks. But the opposition parties term these arrests as 'mean' tactics by a military ruler to prolong his dictatorial rule.
A nine-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan would resume hearing of the constitutional petitions against General Pervez Musharraf's dual offices here on Monday. Police on Sunday forcefully shifted PML-N parliamentary leader Makhdoom Javed Hashmi to Adiala jail. Hashmi suffered minor injuries during a scuffle with cops. He and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed were detained in their suites in the parliament lodges. It is learnt that Hafiz has been transferred to Simly dam rest house.
Another MMA leader Mian Muhammad Aslam is detained at Shalimar police station.
The parliament lodges has been besieged by a heavy contingent of police and security agency personnel. The security personnel have also raided house of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan but he could not be captured. None of the Pakistan Peoples Party leader or party activist has been arrested amid reports of power-sharing deal between PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto and President General Pervez Musharraf.
Despite arrests of top opposition leaders, the ADPM has vowed to wage a campaign in the streets to try to stop President Musharraf winning the coming presidential polls. The newly formed alliance has announced to continue its protest outside the Supreme Court against President Musharraf's bid to get him re-elected.
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