March 26, 2007	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 6, 1428

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MULTAN, March 25: Police arrested on Sunday 40 Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) leaders and workers, including former National Assembly speaker Fakhar Imam, from the Bosan road residence of former federal minister Mukhtar Awan. The host was also among those sent to lockup.

The ARD had arranged the meeting to discuss Monday’s protest strategy.

Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nafees Ansari, who was also present at the meeting, claimed police had arrested 60 people.

Also among the arrested are: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s MNA Rana Mahmoodul Hasan, his father Rana Noorul Hasan, former mayors Salahuddin Dogar and Sheikh Tariq Rasheed, former provincial minister Saeed Qureshi and district and tehsil chiefs of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the PML-N.

The district police officer said MNA Hassan had himself come to the police station because of the arrest of his father.

VEHARI: At least one dozen leaders and activists from the opposition parties were arrested in Vehari to avert today’s strike call by the opposition parties in the country. Police raided opposition leaders’ residences and arrested Vehari Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) President Eng Rafique Chaudhry, PML-N’s Maqsood and others. Some ARD activists from Vehari were arrested in Multan.

SHEIKHUPURA: The district administration in Nankana Sahib and Sheikhupura districts rounded up dozens of ARD officials and activists.

Those arrested are: former MPAs Haji Muhammad Nawaz and Umer Mushtaq Virk and others. Arif Khan Sandhela was arrested in the press club.

OKARA: Police arrested five ARD activists to stop them from attending a mass protest in Lahore. Those arrested are: city PML-N president Fayaz Ghori and Okara PPP president Abdul Sattar Wahla and others. PML-N activist have vowed to reach Lahore under the leadership of MPA Mian Yawar Zaman and district president Mian Muhammad Zaman, sources said.

SAHIWAL: Police arrested opposition parties’ activists and those include: Sahiwal PPP Vice President Zaki Chaudhry, Punjab PML-N Lawyers’ Forum’s Shaheed Ahmed Paswal and PML-N General Secretary Haji Ehsanul Haq Idrees. City traders have decided to observe a strike on Monday to solidarity with political parties.

LAYYAH: Police arrested six PPP activists, who are: Tahseen Raza, Sajjad Ali, Nadeem Ahmed, Noor Muhammad, Makhdoom Shaukat Ali and Abid Dooli.

Police also raided the office of PPP tehsil office at Chowk Azam and Karor Lal Esan but no arrest was made. Most of the ARD activists have already left for DG Khan to participate in a protest rally.

The ARD leadership in London had decided to observe a strike in protest against suspension of Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as chief justice.