Pakistan: Treatment of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) members; the names of high-profile detainees, especially cabinet ministers and members of the Sharif family (update to PAK34038.E of 29 March 2000)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 20 June 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK34649.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Treatment of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) members; the names of high-profile detainees, especially cabinet ministers and members of the Sharif family (update to PAK34038.E of 29 March 2000), 20 June 2000, PAK34649.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad7048.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
On 15 March 2000 the military government imposed a nationwide ban on all strikes and public political meetings, although indoor political meetings were still permitted
On 24 March 2000 India Abroad reported that police had registered sedition cases against Kulsoom Nawaz, wife of deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and 16 members of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML). A police inspector in Hyderabad stated that the treason case was registered because the PML leaders had made "provocative speeches against the armed forces in a bid to create hatred against the government" (ibid.). According to the report the case was "registered two days after Kulsoom Nawaz and several PML leaders, including former federal ministers Haleem Siddiqui and Tehmina Daultana and former Sindh governor Mamnoon Hussain, addressed a workers' convention in Hyderabad" (ibid.).
On 26 March 2000 Dawn reported that Tayyaba Zamir Qureshi, leader of the PML women's wing in Sargodha, had been placed under house arrest for demonstrating against the dismissal of the elected government in Lahore (ibid.).
On 31 March 2000 Washington Report on Middle East Affairs reported that Rana Sanaullah Khan, a PML member and former member of the Punjab provincial assembly, had been arrested, taken to a remote area, given a severe whipping and then returned to jail. At the home of a fellow PML member two days earlier Khan had reportedly given a speech with "anti-army tone and content" (ibid.).
On 5 April 2000 Dawn reported that most PML leaders in Faisalabad, including members of the suspended assemblies, were going underground in advance of a decision in the Nawaz Sharif case. PML activists and leaders were reportedly being arrested to "minimize the chances of any protest movement" (ibid.). According to one district administration official, however, only PML activists wanted in existing cases were being arrested (ibid.). Four PML activists attempting to demonstrate outside the courthouse following the decision were arrested and taken away by police (AP 6 Apr. 2000)
On 22 May 2000 Dawn reported that most of the female PML activists arrested during a protest on The Mall in Lahore on 20 May 2000 had been released the following day. The protesters, comprising 71 women, 19 children and 8 men, were taken into custody when they attempted to protest for the release of Nawaz Sharif (ibid.).
On 13 June 2000 AFP reported that Rana Nazir, PML general secretary for Punjab province, had been taken into custody by the National Accountability Bureau pending an investigation into corruption allegations against him.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Agence France Presse (AFP). 13 June 2000. "Sharif Ally Detained." (NEXIS)
The Associated Press (AP). 6 April 2000. Zahid Hussain. "Pakistan's former prime minister was sentenced to life in prison ." (NEXIS)
Dawn [Karachi]. 22 May 2000. "Most PML Women Workers Released."
_____. 5 April 2000. "PML Men Go Underground to Escape Arrest."
_____. 26 March 2000. "PML Woman Put Under House Arrest."
Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), UK Home Office. April 2000. Pakistan Assessment.
India Abroad [New York]. 24 March 2000. "Police File sedition Case Against Nawaz Sharif's Wife." (The Ethnic NewsWatch/NEXIS)
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. 31 March 2000. Mahjabeen Islam-Husain. "Mujabeen's Musings: In Pakistan, When Will We Learn Enough from Our History to Avoid Repeating It?" (The Ethnic NewsWatch/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
The Herald [Karachi].
IRB databases.
World News Connection (WNC).
Internet sites including:
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (LCHR).
Pakistan Muslim League (PML).