The government has started releasing more than 5,000 anti-Musharraf protesters detained after emergency declaration earlier this month, a top official said. The move comes as an indication the weakening military ruler may roll back his November 3 decision under growing international pressures and rising opposition home.
Around 3,400 political workers, pro-democracy lawyers and rights activists were released on Tuesday and some 2,000 more would be freed soon, Interior Ministry spokesperson Javed Iqbal Cheema told a news conference. "While peaceful protests are a part of democratic process, the federal and provincial governments shall not brook any attempt to create disturbances in the run-up to elections," Cheema said.
The government decided to release detainees two days after a top visiting United States diplomat called for the same and urged Musharraf to lift emergency. On Monday, a 'hand-picked' Supreme Court dismissed five out of six petitions, questioning his last month disputed re-election as president. The remaining one may be decided (in his favour) on Thursday.
Election Commission Tuesday announced the parliamentary polls would be held on January 8 next year. Experts believe there doesn't remain any more hurdle for Musharraf to become a civilian president and lifting emergency to cool down his Western allies especially Washington and growing protests back home looks to be an ideal option for him now.
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