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The Emergency Times 21
The Emergency Times 21
Students from 21 universities, under the banner of Student Action Committee Lahore, gathered today at
Liberty Chowk to publicly voice their dissent. The streets were lined with hundreds of Police Elite forces which
warned the students that they would be arrested if they did not disperse within fifteen minutes. Amidst
chants of "NO" to this question of dispersal, student's made it clear that police or no police, they would not
disperse without making themselves heard. Students brandishing colorful placards and wearing black
armbands flooded the liberty roundabout. Some members of the civil society, the lawyer's movement, doctors,
and human rights activists also came to express solidarity and support for the student initiative.
The students sat displaying their banners and placards peacefully while negotiations with the Police SP were
made. Afterwards, everyone made a human chain around the enormous roundabout, and chanted anti-
Musharraf, pro-judiciary and pro-democracy slogans. After circling the roundabout for half an hour the
procession of nearly 600 gathered in the middle, chanting freedom slogans with ever more vigor.
There were speeches made by students from a few of the participating universities, the content of which
resonated around the necessity of empowering the common people of Pakistan and putting an end once and
for all to the tyranny of the military. The students made it clear that this movement will be a long term
struggle to ensure that true democracy is given a chance to take root in the country and that justice prevails.
The students made it very clear that no elections can be legitimate without a free and independent judiciary
overseeing them.
One demand declared as non-negotiable was the restoration of the judiciary as of 2nd Nov. Without the
judicial organ being independent and un-terrorized, it will fail in its function of providing the necessary check
and balance on the executive. After the speeches, the national anthem was sung by the all assembled. After
this hour long protest, the gathering peacefully dispersed, distributing flyers to the public to educate them of
their demands.
Disclaimer: This publication is not affiliated with or does not endorse any political party or social group.
It is a humble effort to inspire and make aware- for we together can make a difference in these
troubled times.
Write to us at theemergencytimes@gmail.com. Our online version is on
pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com
The Emergency Times Dec 1st, 2007 2
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What made this assembly remarkable was the level of organization that was evident. Not a single flower was
trampled nor any paper trash left behind; the students stuffed their own pockets and bags with the litter
instead. Today's protest will not be forgotten easily from the memory of the people of Lahore. Today's country-
wide protest demonstrated to the people of Pakistan the unwillingness of the youth of the nation to silently sit
through the slow death of their nation.
Simultaneously, we also welcome the boycott of the upcoming elections by the members of APDM, until the
aforementioned conditions are not met and urge them to stay true to their word till the very end. We stand
united in our call with every student and member of the civil society in these demands - whether in Pakistan
or outside - for the constitutional rights of all Pakistanis are not privileges that can be forsaken.
Disclaimer: This publication is not affiliated with or does not endorse any political party or social group.
It is a humble effort to inspire and make aware- for we together can make a difference in these
troubled times.
Write to us at theemergencytimes@gmail.com. Our online version is on
pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com
The Emergency Times Dec 1st, 2007 3
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Our struggle is not just for the end of Martial law but towards ensuring a democratic system of political
governance, where transparency and accountability is the norm. Our hope is to create an alternative to the
current political milieu by humanizing the concept of politics, encouraging our youth to be a part of the
solution and not just be silent bystanders while our future, as individuals and collectively as a nation is at
stake. Our struggle continues for every Pakistani demanding change! For a democratic, progressive and free
Pakistan!
other winners of this year's Nobel peace Prize. On Dec 11, Junoon, South Asia's most popular Sufi-rock band
will perform alongside international artists like Alicia Keys, Melissa Etheridge, Earth Wind and Fire and Annie
Lennox. The master of ceremonies is Oscar winning actor Tommy Lee Jones. Previous performers at this
globally televised concert have been Sir Paul McCartney, Carlos Santana and U2.
Salman will dedicate his performance to the Pakistan lawyers’ movement for the restoration of the Supreme
court judges and independence of the judiciary as well as Pakistan's civil society, media, students and rights
activists who have heroically protested against the Musharraf government's illegal action of imposing
emergency in Pakistan.
Disclaimer: This publication is not affiliated with or does not endorse any political party or social group.
It is a humble effort to inspire and make aware- for we together can make a difference in these
troubled times.
Write to us at theemergencytimes@gmail.com. Our online version is on
pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com
The Emergency Times Dec 1st, 2007 5
Please Photocopy and Distribute
Disclaimer: This publication is not affiliated with or does not endorse any political party or social group.
It is a humble effort to inspire and make aware- for we together can make a difference in these
troubled times.
Write to us at theemergencytimes@gmail.com. Our online version is on
pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com