London, UK: On March 15 2009 PTI UK team led by PTI UK Coordinator Rabia Zia had organized a demonstration in London in front of the High Commission of Pakistan with other political parties namely being PML N as well as QC Sibgat ullah Kadri, representation from Tehreek -e- Khaksaar, students, lawyers, doctors, businessmen, media, civil society. PML N was led by Mr. Nasir Butt, Sec General PML N, UK. There was a huge crowd (350+ people) where participants had come from Birmingham, Kent, Oxford, Leeds and other cities of Pakistan.
The demonstration started at 2 pm with slogans and chanting led by the slogan team, against Zardari and in support of Imran Khan, Mian Nawaz Shareef, Ali Ahmed Kurd. This was followed by speeches by Rabia Zia, Nasir Butt, Mr. Sibghat ullah Kadri, Mrs. Nawadar, Mr. Outhi (ex President Gujranwala Bar Association), Dr Ajmal, Khwaja Imtiaz, Shahid Dastgir, Raja Shakeel Haider, Atif Ali Shah, Ali (Leeds) etc. Rabia Zia also delivered a message by Mr. Imran Khan for the overseas Pakistanis. There were people inside the Embassy who were attending a function and the crowd outside also sent them a message of shame. After speeches, PTI worker carried out a dharna with anti Zardari slogans. A petition (attached below) was also handed over to an officer of the High Commission by Rabia Zia, Nasir Butt and QC Sibghat ullah Kadri. Media was present in full force including live coverage from DM Digital as well as from Islam Channel, Channel I, Royal Channel, GEO. We also had full coverage from printed newspapers.
The demonstration in London was held to support the Long March; to show solidarity for the struggle of an independent judiciary and the restoration of the Chief Justice Iftekhar Chaudhry. Overseas Pakistanis in the UK who live in a democratic society want the rule of law and a ‘true’ democracy for Pakistan. It has taken PTI 13 years to identify a Chief Justice (“CJ”) who will help achieve this dream and who will ensure that the judiciary is no longer the puppet of the ‘Establishment’ and it has taken Pakistan 61 years to realize this – hence we cannot afford to lose this chance to bring a positive change to Pakistan.
As per the latest eyewitness news from PTI ISB, we know that PTI has received brutal treatment by the Government for the biggest crime in the eyes of the PPP Government – struggle for an independent judiciary and rule of law. Dictator Zardari is acting in an unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional manner against the innocent citizens of Pakistan. He fights to hold on to his blind despotic dictatorship; he fights AGAINST a sovereign and lawful Pakistan with an independent judiciary and he fights against reinstating Chief Justice Iftekhar Chaudhry. This is a battle between the dictator and the people of Pakistan who have been deprived of progression, civil rights, development of society and most of all rule of law and justice.
There is no difference between Musharraf’s military dictatorship and Zardari’s civilian dictatorship. Both have used similar methods to crush peaceful demonstrations, through brutal force, suppression, harassment and most of all, the unlawful arrests of innocent citizens. Both the dictators, Musharraf and Zardari cannot afford an independent Chief Justice (“CJ”) because both want to carry out acts that are illegal and unconstitutional. The majority of the puppets surrounding Zardari in the most powerful positions of the Pakistan government have also absconded from justice, or similarly to Zardari, have huge corruption cases against them i.e. Rahman Malik. Hence they will do all in their power to destroy Pakistan’s struggle for democracy and sovereignty, avoid the rule of law and the independent judiciary.
It seems that whilst the West promotes and protects its own independent judicial system, they seem to be unconcerned about this fundamental right for Pakistan. This may be due to the fact that the West yearns for these dictators in Pakistan to fight the war on terror, which they believe only the dictators can, achieve. Paradoxically, the West inevitably allow dictators to undertake a War against their own citizens and looks away while the war of terror rages on the local population through the destruction of human rights and justice. This is a myopic approach and a Pakistan with an independent judiciary and a lawful state will be better positioned to fight the war on terror then the dictators.
Zardari has lost the confidence of the people of Pakistan and has lost control of the country. These are defining moments for Pakistan and Pakistanis are now vying for a change & restoration of independent judiciary. Nothing will undermine their determination to fight for the right cause as giving in means oppression and slavery for another lifetime. We want a Pakistan that was envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah the founder of Pakistan.
In the end we would like to thank the PTI team members who, over the last few weeks, put in a lot of effort and work to make this demonstration a success – Asim Khan, M A Raja, Furqan Nadeem, Zeeshan Siddiq, Wajid Abbasi, Sajjad Ahmed, Aisha Ghazi, Khurram Naeem, Shahbaz Khan, Kashif Jan, Sobia Zia, Tariq Khan, Muhammad Shabir, Qawi Awan. Thanks to the slogans team which comprised of Faisal, Ahmad Raza, Shahbaz Khan, Khurram Naeem, Rizwan Chaand, Dr Ajmal.
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Rabia Zia
UK Coordinator for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
ukpti@insaf.pk
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