International   

Jemima leads protest against Musharraf

LONDON: They were not the sort of people who would, normally, be seen pounding the streets on a grey and freezing Sunday, but for friends of Imran Khan, who is battling President Pervez Musharraf’s emergency regime, these are not normal times.

So, when Jemima Khan, his ex-wife, called for a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission to demand the lifting of the Emergency and restoration of democracy they turned up in large numbers — waving banners and raising slogans denouncing Gen. Musharraf.

They were joined by rights campaigners and ordinary British Pakistanis concerned about the turmoil in their native country.

“This protest is not just about Imran, it’s about democracy in Pakistan,” said a young woman protester demanding Gen. Musharraf’s resignation.

Ms. Khan, who led the demonstration, said protests would continue until the Emergency was lifted, and all those arrested for opposing the Musharraf regime were released. “We’ll keep making a noise. We know people can’t demonstrate in Pakistan but we can here. We’re watching what is going on and it’s not acceptable,” she said.

Sunday’s protest was the second organised by Ms. Khan who has been actively campaigning against the Musharraf regime. Last week, she led a protest outside Downing Street to demand that the British government put more pressure on Gen. Musharraf.

Ms. Khan said she was shocked by images of police violence against Gen. Musharraf’s critics.

Mr. Khan, who is under arrest in Pakistan, has voiced fears for his life.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Budget vote worries Rajapaksa regime
Kosovo leader threatens to declare independence
China backs ASEAN on Myanmar
“Attack on Iran will double oil prices”
Barred television channels hopeful of solution
Jemima leads protest against Musharraf
80 killed in Shia-Sunni clashes
Lashes for rape victim
Thomas Bata honoured

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu