17 April 2005	Sunday	07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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LAHORE, April 16: Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said here on Saturday that Mr Asif Ali Zardari had not been arrested and the government had made security arrangements merely to protect him on a request by his party, and to prevent violation of section 144.

He said all arrested during the past few days would be released but the violators of the law would be dealt with sternly. He apologized for the treatment meted out to journalists accompanying Mr Zardari.

Speaking at a news conference at his office, the chief minister said that in response to the PPP request, the interior ministry had asked the provincial government to provide security to Mr Zardari on his arrival and stay in Lahore.

“There is no bar on his staying in Lahore or anywhere in Punjab. There is also no restriction on meeting him anywhere, including the Zardari House. He is free to go to Data Sahib and offer prayers there,” the chief minister said.

He added that Mr Zardari had not been detained. The government had made VVIP security arrangements for him. Under such arrangements police had to secure areas around the personality and to frisk anyone intending to meet him to avert any untoward incident.

To substantiate his claim of the March 24 PPP request, Mr Elahi distributed among reporters copies of the letter and the reminder sent by PPP secretary-general Jahangir Badar to the federal, provincial and Lahore district governments, seeking security arrangements for Mr Zardari.

Mr Badar wrote in his letter that Mr Zardari was arriving at the airport on April 16 and the PPP had decided to welcome him on the occasion. From the airport Mr Zardari would proceed to Data Darbar via Davis Road, Nisbet Road and Shahalam Chowk, returning to his residence afterwards.

The chief minister said Mr Zardari could go to Data Darbar anytime as security arrangement had been made there. Journalists could also go to his residence anytime. Mr Zardari’s claim of curtailment of his movement had no ground and he was saying this only to gain publicity, he said.

He added that those who thought there was no need to seek permission for processions should either stop talking of democracy or note that the government would not allow anyone to violate the law. “Democracy suits them only if they are in power but they must also keep in mind the opposition’s role in it and that the majority party has the right to rule,” he said.

He said the government had never allowed MMA to take out processions. Law was applicable to all, be it PML-Q, PML-N, PPP or MMA.

He said the government had no objection to Mr Zardari’s staying in Punjab.

When reporters protested over the treatment meted out to journalists at the airport, the chief minister said everyone was required to undergo immigration and customs procedures at airports. “I have talked to the quarters concerned for compensation. I am sorry for the treatment and I will hold an inquiry into the incident,” he said.