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Police target Pakistan opposition Pakistan opposition leaders held
(1 day later)
Police in Pakistan have detained key opposition figures who vowed to disrupt President Pervez Musharraf's bid for re-election, officials say. Police in Pakistan have detained key opposition figures who had vowed to begin protests to disrupt President Pervez Musharraf's bid for re-election.
Dozens of warrants for preventative custody had been issued, officials say. Hundreds of activists belonging to the umbrella group All Parties Democratic Movement are also being held.
Two of the key targeted groups are the PML-N party of former PM Nawaz Sharif and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, an alliance of hardline Islamist parties. They are from the PML-N party of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif and hardline Islamists of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam.
General Musharraf is seeking re-election next month by the federal and provincial assemblies. Gen Musharraf is seeking re-election next month by the federal and provincial assemblies.
"These are preventative detentions for the maintenance of public order," a senior police official told AFP agency.
"We have detained these people to prevent the holding of a protest rally in front of the Supreme Court, which would invite trouble because of the prevailing security threat," he said.
DisruptionDisruption
Among those arrested was Javed Hashmi, acting leader of the PML-N, the party of exiled former PM Sharif. Police officials said the opposition leaders had been taken into temporary custody for the maintenance of public order.
Gen Musharraf is seeking re-election as president It is not known how many senior leaders have been held so far - estimates vary from four to 35.
But among them was Javed Hashmi, acting leader of the PML-N and party chairman Raja Zafarul Haq.
I am wanted by the Musharraf regime along with other opposition leaders for whom they have issued a 30-day detention order which goes well beyond General Musharraf's illegal, unconstitutional presidential elections Ehsan IqbalPML-N leader
Mr Hashmi said Gen Musharraf's Western backers should press the military-led government to uphold the same democratic standards that they enjoy.Mr Hashmi said Gen Musharraf's Western backers should press the military-led government to uphold the same democratic standards that they enjoy.
"They are ruling the country with a gun in hand," Mr Hashmi said at his apartment, where four armed police stood guard outside."They are ruling the country with a gun in hand," Mr Hashmi said at his apartment, where four armed police stood guard outside.
"They think that the [military] uniform, not the people of Pakistan, are the source of power.""They think that the [military] uniform, not the people of Pakistan, are the source of power."
Also detained was Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, from the radical Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam.Also detained was Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, from the radical Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam.
A number of other prominent opposition figures have gone into hiding.
They are said to include former cricketer Imran Khan.
Ehsan Iqbal, from Mr Nawaz Sharif's party, told the BBC he had gone into hiding after his house was raided.
"I am wanted by the Musharraf regime along with other opposition leaders for whom they have issued a 30-day detention order which goes well beyond General Musharraf's illegal, unconstitutional presidential elections," he said.
Opposition parties have vowed to disrupt Gen Musharraf's attempt to be re-elected by federal and provincial assemblies for a fresh term in office.Opposition parties have vowed to disrupt Gen Musharraf's attempt to be re-elected by federal and provincial assemblies for a fresh term in office.
Among the tactics included are resignations from the assemblies, mass demonstrations and an attempt to blockade the Election Commission to prevent Gen Musharraf from filing his nomination papers. They say he is not constitutionally qualified to run for a second term while he still holds the powerful position of Pakistan's army chief.
General Musharraf has offered to resign his military post, but only after he is voted in as president for the new term on 6 October.
Gen Musharraf is determined to get re-elected with his uniform on
But the All Parties Democratic Movement has announced that its lawmakers might resign from parliament to deny legitimacy to Gen Musharraf's re-election.
The authorities may also feel the opposition is weak and divided, therefore an easy target, says the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad.
So far demonstrations have been small, drawing only dedicated activists.
The largest religious party is not fully behind the opposition's plans and the largest secular party, headed by Benazir Bhutto, is not part of the opposition alliance.
Polls show Gen Musharraf is deeply unpopular, but people are preoccupied with other matters, like rising food prices, our correspondent says.
And no international backlash is expected, especially after the United States failed to criticise the deportation of Nawaz Sharif, she says.