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Court order to release Tariq Mehmood
Labour Party Pakistan - August 25, 2009
Dear all,
Today, Anti Terrorist Court Faisalabad, Pakistan ordered to release Tariq Mehmood general secretary Labour Party Pakistan district Toba Tek Singh on bail. He was charged under 7 ATA (Anti Terrorist Act) after he issued a press release on 9 August demanding investigation of rape and missing of women in Gojra.
Nine Christians were burnt alive by a mob of Muslim fanatics in Gojra after blames of blasphemy.
Today, our advocate Hanif Dogar argued the case in the court and told that Tariq is a progressive political activist. What ever he heard he wrote in the press release. He is a known activist and issuing a press release does not fall under 7ATA. He told the court that the religious fanatics are behind this dirty game and pushing police to go for this case.
After hearing the arguments for an hour, the Anti Terrorist Court judge agreed with arguments of our advocate and ordered to release him on bail for Rupees 10,000 bonds.
Tariq Mehmood, hopefully will come out of jail this evening or tomorrow after the completion off all the formalities. He was arrested on 10 August 2009.
Earlier dozen of national and international organizations including South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), Asian Human Rights Commission, Socialist Alliance Australia, and many more wrote letters of protest to Pakistan government to release him.
On 23 August, Labour Party Pakistan held a protest public meeting at Toba Tek Singh despite police harassments and speakers gave warning of a nationwide demonstrations if Tariq is not released. They also announced three public meetings at Lahore, Faisalabad and Islamabad during the week.
Today, the court in ts first hearing gave a verdict against government advocate plea not to release him on bail.
We thank you all, for writing letters of protest and raising voices against this unnecessary arrest of a young activist.
Farooq Tariq
Spokesperson Labour Party
Pakistan
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