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Pakistan Frees 3,000 Prisoners

Yet high-profile figures, including Khan, remain jailed

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 20, 2007 5:57 AM CST
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(Newser) – Pakistani police have released over 3,000 opposition activists—including lawyers and members of the political opposition—arrested since the suspension of the constitution on Nov. 3, Pakistan's interior ministry said today. Under pressure from Washington, President Pervez Musharraf, whose hand-picked court validated his reelection, is withdrawing some of the harshest measures of emergency rule.

Lawyers freed today insisted that they would continue their battle for the reinstatement of the country's suspended judges and return to civilian rule. Even as they were releasing detainees, police arrested about 150 journalists who tried to hold a rally protesting the muzzling of the press. Some 2,000 activists remain imprisoned, including the cricketer-turned-MP Imran Khan.

Pakistani journalist hold a protest rally with others to condemn media restrictions imposed by Pakistan's military ruler President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zubair)
Pakistani journalist hold a protest rally with others to condemn media restrictions imposed by Pakistan's military ruler President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Mohammad Zubair)   (Associated Press)
Police officers, lower left, push Pakistani journalists into a police van in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. Police detained 150 journalists after clashing with them during a protest against Pakistan's state of emergency, witnesses said. (AP Photo/Pervez Masih)
Police officers, lower left, push Pakistani journalists into a police van in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. Police detained 150 journalists after clashing with them during a protest against...   (Associated Press)
Women of the Jamal Islamia religious group protest against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's imposed emergency rule outside of the press club in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)
Women of the Jamal Islamia religious group protest against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's imposed emergency rule outside of the press club in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Wally...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani lawyer chants slogans against Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf at an anti-government rally in the District Courts of Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
A Pakistani lawyer chants slogans against Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf at an anti-government rally in the District Courts of Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)   (Associated Press)
Pakistani lawyers scuffle with police outside the Karachi Bar Association, Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. The Supreme Court , hand-picked by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, swiftly dismissed legal challenges to his continued rule to open the way for him to serve another five-year term - this time solely as a...
Pakistani lawyers scuffle with police outside the Karachi Bar Association, Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. The Supreme Court , hand-picked by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, swiftly dismissed...   (Associated Press)
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Commentary from Pakistan: Emergency and the diasporas
Dawn (Pakistan)

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Pakistan Supreme Court • state of emergency

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