Protesters to Be Dealt With Severely, Says Musharraf

Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday sounded a warning that tough measures would be taken against law-breakers and those trying to launch any agitation, protest or demonstration.

Chairing a high-level inter-provincial meeting on law and order, the president also assured that mosques would not be allowed to be used for disruptive activities but they will remain places for worship only. "All Afghan refugees involved in these anti-law activities will be sent back, though only a small number of people are involved in such activities," said a senior official while referring to the decisions taken in the meeting.

The president told the governors to personally monitor and oversee the law and order situation, as majority of people is with the government and its policies. "The people of Pakistan have demonstrated great wisdom and acumen by staying away from these protest demonstrations sponsored by some extremists," said the president. "Mosques are the place of worship, these are sacrosanct and where peace is taught with a lessons of tolerance. These should not be allowed to use for disruptive activities," he told the participants.

Referring to the Afghan refugees participating in these sponsored protests, which turned violent sometime, he said the authorities should take steps to ensure that these refugees did not carry out any activity contrary to their status. "They should remain stay in their camps," he added.

He directed that the law-enforcement agencies and the provincial governments should not hesitate in taking strong action in case they find protestors trying to turn violent. A large number of civil and military leaders attended the meeting, described as unprecedented in recent history. Minister for Interior, Moinuddin Haider; Kashmir Affairs, Abbas Sarfraz; Religious Affairs, Dr. Mehmood Ghazi; provincial governors, Vice Chief of Army Staff General Muhammad Yousaf Khan, corps commanders based at the provincial headquarters, provincial inspector-generals police, home secretaries and many senior officials attended the meeting.






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