QUETTA, March 23: The administration did not allow the Balochistan All Parties Conference (APC) and the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy to hold a public meeting on Saturday to oppose the government’s move to amend the constitution and arrested two dozen activists in the provincial capital.

“We have arrested 23 activists of the ARD gathered for holding public meeting despite a ban,” a police source confirmed and said that the government had decided not to allow the APC to hold its public meeting.

The police had earlier arrested 11 leaders of the APC parties on Friday giving indication that the government would not allow the public meeting on Pakistan day.

The workers and activities of the APC were on their way to Meezan Chowk for attending the public meeting, but a heavy contingent of law enforcement agencies foiled their attempt and took 23 activist of different parties into custody at Jinnah Road and Kandahari Bazaar.

“Activists of the APC have been booked for violating section 144 as the Quetta city district government had imposed a ban on holding of public meetings on the main roundabouts of the provincial capital,” a senior police officer told this correspondent.

He said the government had asked the APC leadership to hold their gathering at the Ayub Stadium but they refused and insisted on holding a political meeting at Meezan Chowk.

The arrested leaders included Balochistan Jamaat-i-Islami President Maulana Abdul Haq, Jamhoori Watan Party Vice-President Khuda-i-Noor, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader Maulana Abdul Qadir Luni, Pakistan Muslim League Balochistan General Secretary Khalid Dogar, former chief minister Mir Hamayun Khan Marri, JWP leader Yousaf Notizai, former senator Mir Tahir Bizenjo, Balochistan National Movement (Awami) President Mohim Khan Baloch, JUI leader Haji Abdul Sadiq and Balochistan JI General Secretary Abdul Mateen Hashami.

The APC leaders, at a press before their arrest, strongly criticized the government for not allowing the political parties to hold public meeting on the Pakistan Day. They said the APC members would not abandon their struggle for the restoration of democracy and democratic institutions in the country.

“We would continue our struggle despite massive arrests of the APC leaders and workers,” they announced.