24 February 2004	Tuesday	03 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: The Pakistan People's Party (PPP), London, general secretary, Mohsin Bari, called on Michael Semple, the human rights adviser to British High Commission here on Monday. The PPP, London, secretary general is currently visiting Pakistan.

A press release issued here said the meeting lasted for an hour in which political and human rights situation in the country was discussed. Mr Bari particularly highlighted the prolonged imprisonment of Senator Asif Ali Zardari during the meeting.

He told Mr Semple that Senator Zardari was the only politician in Pakistan who had been detained for more than seven years. He said Senator Zardari was being victimised only because he was the spouse of the leader of the largest political party in Pakistan- a party that had been fighting dictatorial military regime.

Mr Bari also apprised the human rights adviser to British High Commission that this kind of victimisation had exposed the regime's injustices and false claim of carrying out accountability.

He pointed out to Mr Semple that several politicians who had switched sides and joined the military regime had not only been set free but also made ministers and advisers.