KARACHI, April 19: The Pakistan People’s Party on Tuesday criticized the government for instituting cases under the Anti-Terrorism Act against PPP activists who were arrested in Lahore and elsewhere before April 16 and on the arrival of Asif Ali Zardari. “This is very alarming situation and we warn the government to desist from such illegal, inhuman and anti-democratic acts as the present rulers are pushing the country towards a major catastrophe,” said the PPP’s Sindh chapter secretary general Nafees Siddiqui in a press conference at Karachi Press Club.

Mr Siddiqui claimed that more than 700 PPP activists were held in different police stations of Punjab and Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. Whereabouts of around 200 PPP workers could not be traced; he said adding that in Kot Lakhpat Jail elected representatives and other political activists had been kept in ‘C’ class along with other criminals.

He said that when the PPP lawyers team instituted by the party, tried to move an application for their release before a magistrate, they were told that the government was instituting cases against them under the ATA.

By using such tactics, he said, the government was trying to brand the PPP as a terrorist organization. He said that PPP was trying to hold peaceful rally. He pointed out that despite strong arm tactics, the PPP workers did not retaliate through violent means. He said the government action would only breed more terrorists.

Flanked by Makhdoom Jameeluzzaman, Waqar Mehdi, Farheen Mughal and Shamimara Panwhar, Mr Siddiqui alleged that the regime was digging its own grave by indulging in such foul play.

He accused Punjab police of manhandling MNAs and MPAs. Common workers were beaten up and meted out third degree treatment. Mr Siddiqui said such actions had exposed the hollow claims of the government about democracy, tolerance, liberalism and enlightenment.

Makhdoom Jameeluzzaman, deputy opposition leader in Sindh Assembly, narrated his ordeal along with other legislators who were baton charged in the presence of Punjab IG police and taken into custody on arrival at Lahore airport. He said this happened despite the fact they had disclosed their identity and their sole purpose in Lahore was to greet Asif Zardari. He said that Manzoor Wassan and lady MPAs from Sindh, Sassi Palejo, Farheen Mughal, Shamimara Panwhar, Sharfunnisa Leghari were also beaten up.