November 14, 2007	Wednesday	Ziqa’ad 03, 1428

PESHAWAR, Nov 13: The Alliance for the Protection of Human Rights (APHR) on Tuesday announced that it would launch a campaign against the imposition of the state of emergency and for the restoration of the Constitution.

The alliance, comprising civil society organisations, including the Aurat Foundation, Sungi, Strengthening Participatory Organisation, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Actionaid, Noor Education Trust, Khwendo Kore, HRMDC and Shirkat Gah, held a meeting at the Peshawar Press Club to work out a strategy for launching a movement against the imposition of emergency, removal of the chief justice and other judges of the Supreme Court and curbs on the media.

The participants also demanded that an independent Election Commission be appointed to hold a free and fair election in the country.

“It was not the judiciary which supported terrorists. It was the government which freed 25 militants in exchange for the release of Army personnel,” said Bushra Gohar, a human rights activist.

Advocate Rukhshinda Naz condemned the emergency and said the government had started threatening civil society and NGOs working for women rights much before the imposition of emergency.