Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - The state authorities of Pakistan have lost all control of Swat district in North West Frontier Province now in the hands of Taliban Islamic extremists. Taking advantage of the disorder following the 'bloodless coup' staged by general Pervez Mushrraf, hundreds of Islamic combatants took control of Swat, Catholic sources in Pakistan told Fides. Dozens of soldiers and police surrendered their arms to the extremists and withdrew from Kalam, a local police officer said. It is feared that religious minorities here will be subject to more even violence and persecution (see Fides 18/9/2007).
“The situation is alarming. With the president repressing legitimate movements of civil society makes it easy for Islamic extremists to spread”. The militants proudly announced they had ousted the police. “ The government should make a greater effort to stop these extremist ferments, instead of denying democratic freedoms and rights to civil society”, the sources told Fides.
In the meantime as students stage demonstrations in favour of arrested lawyers and human rights activists, the opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been put under house arrest in her home in Islamabad, surrounded by police. A police officer said the move was taken on the eve of demonstrations organised by Bhutto in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, to the President's decision to impose the state of emergency. Moreover the Peoples Party led by Bhutto said 5,000 of its members all over the country have been arrested in the past three days. Bhutto supporters say “the government is afraid of Benazir Bhutto's popularity and wants to prevent more people from taking her side”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/11/2007 righe 27 parole 279)
