LOC15:14
12:14 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (KUNA) Police Thursday continued arresting defiant
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers to prevent them from holding protest
demonstrations against President Pervez Musharrafs emergency rule in Pakistan
as the detained party chairperson Benazir Bhutto met with the US envoy.
The US Consulate General, Bryn Hunt, in eastern Lahore city held over an
hour long meeting with Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of the country,
currently placed under house arrest to prevent her from leading a long march
against Musharrafs emergency rule.
According to a local journalist Nawaz Ahmed, when the US envoy went to see
Benazir Bhutto police stopped him but was later allowed upon showing official
permission for the meeting.
Talking to news reporters, the US envoy said that his meeting with Benazir
was part of meetings with opposition leaders. He said he exchanged views with
her over the prevailing political situation in the country and conveyed to her
concerns of the United States.
He said all opposition parties must be allowed to take part in the
forthcoming elections and curbs on media must be removed.
The meeting is taking place a day ahead of the visit of US Deputy Secretary
of State, John Negroponte, who is arriving to tell Musharraf about the US
stance over his decision to impose emergency rule in the country.
He will also be delivering special message from President Bush to his
Pakistani counterpart.
Meanwhile, police Thursday rounded up hundreds more of PPP activists from
across the country while they were trying to hold protest demonstrations
against arrest of Benazir and emergency.
In Karachi and Peshawar cities clashes also took place between police and
protestors that wounded several including two journalists. Police
baton-charged protestors and fired tear-gas shells.
Also, the lawyers community continued boycotting courts and holding
protest though peaceful demonstrations. (end)
amn.ajs
KUNA 151514 Nov 07NNNN