KARACHI, May 19: Speakers at a demonstration on Tuesday condemning the police action against the human rights activists in Lahore demanded that the Punjab government should extend a public apology and tender its resignation immediately. Speaking at the demonstration organized by the Joint Action Committee for Peoples’ Rights and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) at the Karachi Press Club they said that the peaceful human rights activists, including women, were brutally manhandled by the police which showed how much the government cared for the human rights.

The speakers – HRCP Secretary-General Iqbal Haider, JACPR’s Anis Haroon and others - said that the human rights activists, who had gathered to participate in a mix marathon, would not be cowed down by the high-handed attitude of the police and administration and they would once again gather at Lahore to participate in the mix marathon soon.

They said that police action against the human rights activists had exposed the true face of the government, which though claimed to practice enlightened moderation, was in fact hand in glove with the religious extremists.

They said that with this police action a very negative message had been conveyed to the rest of the civilized world regarding the situation in the country.

They said that the first mix marathon was held successfully in Lahore in a peaceful manner, but when the second marathon was organized in Sargodha, extremist elements joined hand. They said that women were equal citizens of the country enjoying equal rights and they should be given equal opportunities in every field.

The demonstrators were chanting slogans in support of their demands. Some of the slogans were: “women rights and human rights”, “stop violence against women”, “mullah – military alliance government not accepted”, “attack on women is a crime”.

Later, the demonstrators, who were carrying banners and placards with their demands written on them, took out a procession from the Karachi Press Club and after marching through various city roads came back to the press club and again started chanting slogans. Later they dispersed peacefully.

At least two Sindh Assembly members belonging to the Muttahida Quami Movement, Fareeha Ambreen and Rehana Nasreen also participated in the demonstration.

Earlier, a large number of supporters of the Pakistan People’s Party staged a demonstration at the press club to protest against the brutal action of the Lahore police.

The activists were carrying banners condemning the police action and were also chanting slogans against the government demanding for its resignation.