7, April 2005	Thursday	27 Safar 1426

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PESHAWAR, April 6: General Secretary of the Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Akram Shah on Wednesday condemned registration of cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act against workers of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations’ Movement arrested during the March 31 strike. “In no civilized society are people struggling for their democratic rights booked under such brutal laws,” he told newsmen here.

He said his party would continue its political struggle with other organizations struggling for the revival of true democracy in the country.

“We are contacting other parties to requisition special sessions of the Senate and the National Assembly to discuss the arrest of political workers under the ATA,” he said.

He said the presence of ‘unconstitutional’ anti-terrorism courts was a manifestation of the rulers’ lack of confidence in the country’s judiciary.

He said those retired generals who felt proud of being architects of terrorist and sectarian organizations were earning a bad name for the country but the rulers were taking action against peaceful citizens in the name of elimination of terrorism.

“The operation in Wana was an effort to provide cover to the terrorists as these elements are being arrested in Rawalpindi, Karachi and other big cities,” he said.

He said the PMAP would continue opposing the construction of Kalabagh dam, Gawadar port and army cantonments and protesting against price hike, unemployment and lawlessness.

He said his party wanted Balochistan’s control over all the affairs of the Gwadar port.

“On March 31, people around the country gave their verdict against dictatorship but instead of taking any lesson from the peoples’ sentiments the rulers are registering cases against political workers under the ATA,” he said.

Mr Shah said 37 PMAP workers were arrested in the NWFP, five in Karachi and 36 in Balochistan. He said a large number of activists of other parties on the PONM were also arrested.

He thanked the traders and transporters who took part in the strike and made it a success.