Pakistan Long March
Pakistan's Long March 2009
In March, 2009, lawyers and opposition political parties to the current Pakistani government, are undertaking a long march from Karachi to Islamabad to demand the reinstatement of a supreme court Chief Justice and other judges ousted from office by former President Pervez Musharraf
The Long March Background
In 2007, Musharraf declared emergency rule in Pakistan and removed more than 60 judges from power. Musharraf's move was seen by many as an attempt to consolidate his hold on power after the Pakistan Supreme Court ruled that he was ineligible to hold the post of President.
President Zardari has invited comparisons to Musharraf because of his government’s use of police force and mass arrests to prevent the long march, as Musharraf did after suspending Choudhry in March 2007 and imposing Emergency rule in Nov 2007.
The irony is illustrated by the recent three-hour detention of the firebrand women’s rights and political activist, Tahira Abdullah, who has been mobilising the lawyers’ movement from her home in Islamabad. She faced police batons and tear gas in the Zia and Musharraf eras. A day before the long march began, a police contingent arrived at her house and virtually broke down her kitchen door. However, her arrest attracted media attention, embarrassing the government into quickly ordering her release. An undeterred Abdullah immediately resumed mobilising for the agitation.
Fast Facts
Starting point of march: Karachi
Ending point of march: Islamabad
Pakistan's Long March 2008
In June, 2008, Pakistani lawyers and judges undertook a "Long March" across Pakistan to protest the 2007 sacking of 60 judges by former President Pervez Musharraf Former Chief Justice of the Pakistan Supreme Court, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, has agreed to meet the protestors in Lahore. The protest, which began in Karachi, will end in Islamabad on or around June 12, and will culminate with a sit-in before the Pakistani parliament.