Black Flag Week

Meet the man who thinks child murderers should be made ministers

2008-11-04T00:59:00.000-08:00

Take a good look at these two faces, and don’t forget them. EVER.

Asif Ali Zardari - Chief Jestler Pakistan People's Party

President Asif Ali Zardari expanded the cabinet to include 40 more ministers before leaving for Saudi Arabia. One the person who he administered oath to was Mir Israr Ullah Zehri who had recently said it was fine to bury girls alive who did not follow instructions.

This is that Mir Israr Ullah Zehri, a senator from the Baluchistan province of Pakistan. Make sure he is never around your mothers, daughters, sisters, wife or any female member of your family.

Israr Ullah Zehri, Senator from Baluchistan

Six weeks back, three girls (teenagers, age 16-18) and two older women were abducted by men from the Umrani tribe. They were shot first, and while injured, thrown into a pit and buried alive. Their crime? Wishing to choose the men they would get married to. The two elder women were their mothers, killed possibly because they were sympathetic to the girls’ wishes. Their bodies were found half-eaten by animals.

It became a scandal, the Asian Human Rights Commission confirmed the inhuman murders, and when a woman senator Bibi Yasmin Shah raised it in Pakistan’s parliament, Mir Israr Ullah Zehri stood up.

This is what he said:

“These are centuries-old traditions, and I will continue to defend them.”

“Only those who indulge in immoral acts should be afraid.”

Mir Israr Ullah Zehri told the stunned Pakistan parliament on Friday that such Baluch tribal traditions helped stop obscenity. He demanded that other legislators should not make a big issue out of it.

How did the Upper House (Senate) react to this outrageous observation?

With silence. Only three other senators supported Bibi Yasmin Shah, the rest kept quiet.

How did Asif Ali Zardari react to this? He appointed Zehri a minister in his next cabinet expansion.

Of course the whole media will remain silent on this as they have been bought by the PPP.

Moral of the story: Burying women will get you a ministry from Zardari !

Links

News Item from The News confirming Zehri's appointment

The page of Mir Israr Ullah Zehri from the Pakistan Senate website

News from The Nation, Pakistan

Globe and Mail

Honor killings in Pakistan

Dance with Shadows

Pictures of Protest from London

2008-04-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

Protest in Harvard University for restoration of the Judiciary

2008-03-15T18:24:00.000-07:00

There are protests in Boston, New York and Washington this weekend and the following is the press release from the Boston area. Reports from other cities will follow soon. The pictures are in the file attachments.

March 15, 2007

For Immediate Release:

Cambridge, MA: Student Action Committee USA Chapter (SAC-USA) staged a successful protest in Harvard Yard today demanding immediate restoration of the pre-Nov 3 independent judiciary in Pakistan. The protestors condemned - in no uncertain terms- the unconstitutional acts of General (r) Musharraf which include the sacking of an independent judiciary, gagging of media and free speech, suspension of civil liberties and fundamental human rights and illegal detention of judges, lawyers and political opponents without any trial or charges. They chanted "Bring the Judges Back" and "No more Musharraf" and walked from John Harvard Statue to Harvard Square holding black flags and banners.

The protest - which is one of three organized by SAC-USA (the other two being in New York and Washington DC) - attracted a large number of students from Harvard College, Kennedy School of Government, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Massachussetts Institude of Technology, Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law, Boston University and other premier institutions of the Boston region. Joining students in their demands were doctors, lawyers - particularly the National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts chapter-, professionals of Pakistani origin and other members of American Civil Society.

Speaking to the protestors, Aqil Sajjad, member of SAC-USA, condemned the illegal detention of the Chief Justice and his family. He said that the people of Pakistan want the judges to be restored and Pervez Musharraf to be ousted, the US and the international community should respect their wishes and stop interfering in Pakistan's internal affairs to keep the judges out. He also spoke against the continued detention of the judges with their families, including the Chief Justice whose 8-year old disabled son has been kept in confinement with him and at times denied the medication he needs. He argued that the US government should build a solid relationship with the people of Pakistan instead of supporting a very unpopular dictator.

President of Harvard Philipine Forum, Marlowe Rillera, stressed for the need for an independent judiciary. He said: "An independent judiciary assures people that court decisions will be based on the country's laws and constitution, not on orders of a dictator." In addition he said that while the situation in Pakistan did not affect him or the Philipines directly, he cared so strongly for an independent judiciary and the serious consequences of not having one that he came with his friends to protest.

After the protest, Samad Khurram, a columnist for The Harvard Crimson, said that Musharraf must respect the wishes of the people of Pakistan. He commented on the recent elections as being a heavy blow to Musharraf's rule with an overwhelming number voting against his King's party. "In addition there were a huge number of us who boycotted the elections on principle. If you add both the opposition voters and those who boycotted, the numbers exceed 80% of the country", he noted.

Karachi: 15-16 March >> Flag Locations & Rallies

2008-03-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

1. FLAG LOCATIONS (list) - Karachi UPDATE !
2. 15 Mar, Sat 5pm - RALLY - Pakhtunkhwa Awami Milli Party, plus.
3. 16 Mar, Sun 3pm - KARACHI CAR RALLY – PR, KUJ, SCBA & KBA

1. FLAG LOCATIONS (Karachi)

Pakistan's civil society including trade unions, political parties and most of all lawyers are marking Black Flag Week by raising Black Flags throughout the country demanding the restoration of pre-Nov 03 Judiciary. Black Flag displays have been reported on the following public locations (list may be updated as reports come in).

Flag Locations

Update >> Large banners at Shahrah e Faisal pedestrian crossings (from Shah Faisal Colony Gate to FTC)
Update >> Stickers and flags at Sea View
Update >> Shaheen Complex intersection
Quaidabad – Dawood Chowrangi Market Area (Korangi)
MA Jinnah (Bunder) Road
Lea Market
Saddar
SITE - Siemens Chowrangi to Gulbai
Bacha Khan (Banaras) Chowk
Soharab Goth
Tariq Road - Bahadurabad

2. RALLY - Pakhtunkhwa Awami Milli plus
15 March, Sat (TODAY) - 5 pm
Bacha Khan (Banaras) Chowk
Speeches & Flag-hoisting by parties, trade unions, civil society.

3. KARACHI CAR RALLY

16 March, Sunday - 3pm – 5pm

Rallies will START at 3pm from the following 3 points.
500 vehicles are expected to join. Please call the numbers given to coordinate.

Bacha Khan (Banaras) Chowk, (0322 827 3826)
Malir District Courts, (0300 345 5727)
Seaview (0345 2384010) correction !

All 3 rallies end at Quaid's Mazar at 5pm.
There will be Cars, Trucks, Buses, Rickshaws and Motorcycles at the 3 rallies.
Organized by: People's Resistance, Karachi Union of Journalists, Supreme Court Bar Association & Karachi Bar Association.

Bring your car
Bring your motorcycle
Bring your rickshaw
Bring your bus Or
Bring your truck
Wear Black Armband. Paste Stickers and
Fly a Black Flag on your vehicle.

Black Flags to be Raised at Iqbal's Tomb and Minaar-e-Pakistan

2008-03-13T12:31:00.001-07:00

Join CCP in Raising the Black Flag

Friday March 14, 3 pm at Allama Iqbal's Tomb (Badshahi Mosque)

Saturday March 15, 4 pm at Minar-e-Pakistan

March 11 – Seminar > "Adlia ki Azadi - Awam ki Azadi" > Karachi

2008-03-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

People's Resistance Seminar

‘Adlia ki Azadi - Awam ki Azadi”

4:30 pm, PMA House, Garden Road, Karachi

The issue of justice affects all of us directly. This seminar explores why all Pakistanis should care about the restoration of an independent judiciary, and includes perspectives from everyday Pakistani citizens on why an independent judiciary matters to them.

Flag-hoisting by Pakistan Medical Association

CHIEF GUEST:

Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Mr Justice Sabihuddin Ahmad

SPEAKERS:

Women's Issues: Ms. Nazish Brohi

Students' Issues: Mr Khurram Ali

Media Issues: Mr Ghazi Salahuddin

Privatization & Labour Issues: Nasir Mansoor, Labour Party of Pakistan

[Pictures] 9th March rally in Islamabad

2008-03-09T23:56:00.000-07:00

[9th March rally] Imran Khan with Justice Tariq Mehmood

[9th March rally] Imran Khan with Masood Sharif Khan Khattak

[9th March rally]

[8th March Camp] Roedad Khan visiting the camp

[8th March Camp] PTI workers distributing flyers and black flags

[8th March Camp] "Men at Work"
PTI workers preparing black flags

Events for 10th March.

2008-03-09T19:44:00.001-07:00

Events for 10th March. Please check out the upto date events at:

http://blackflagweek.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=22589890270
www.teeth.com.pk/blog
http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/

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Karachi:
Complete BOYCOTT OF ALL THE COURTS.

Flag Hoistings:

3:00 pm >> Hotel Jabees, Saddar
Islamic Lawyers Movement (ILM)
People's Resistance and all other friends are invited to join

5:00 pm >> Iqbal Haider's House
D-25, Block 4, KDA 5, Clifton
Just after Abdullah Shah Ghazi's Mazar, off 26th Street
Behind Designers.

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Lahore:

1. Black Flag will be hoisted 10:30 A.M.
2. Complete BOYCOTT OF ALL THE COURTS.
3. G.H. Meeting of L.H.C. 10:30 A.M.
4. Address of Mr. Aitzaz Ahsan (President SCBA ) 11:00 A.M.
5. Rally of LBA 11:30 A.M.

6. Black Flag Rally at Liberty Roundabout - 5.00 -5.45 pm

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Islamabad:
Complete BOYCOTT OF ALL THE COURTS.

Car Rally with nearly 50 cars with black flags, taking a round of almost all of the busiest areas of Islamabad, honking all the way, starting from Suharwardy Road at Fire Brigade (4 pm), and going through Aabpara,then welcoming Ali Kurd's arrival at the Rawalpindi International Airport at 5 15-5 30 pm and then going around Islamabad again. The rally will have a public address system to also address public at busy intersections.
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Karachi Flag-hoistings - March 10

2008-03-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

3:00 pm >> Hotel Jabees, Saddar

Islamic Lawyers Movement (ILM)

People’s Resistance and all other friends are invited to join

5:00 pm >> Iqbal Haider’s House

D-25, Block 4, KDA 5, Clifton

Just after Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s Mazar, off 26th Street

Behind Designers.

UPDATE > 700pm > rallies, clashes

2008-03-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

Islamabad

Clashes, tear gas at rally to greet CJ in judges enclave
'Go Musharrraf Go' and 'Chief Justice' on Geo

Karachi

15,000 people at rally at Karachi Press Club. Ends at Supreme Court Building (Karachi).

Lahore

Aitzaz welcomes joint statement of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari to reinstate all deposed judges within 30 days of Parliament. States that countdown will begin. Political parties will be supported from tomorrow. Focus should now be on Musharraf.

BLACK FLAG WEEK PROTEST FOR 9TH MARCH 2008

2008-03-08T03:10:00.000-08:00

Islamabad

Saturday, 8th March:
Gather at Mr. Books in F-6 Supermarket for an address by Aitzaz Ahsan to traders of the area and a subsequent march to Aabpara.
Please do not forget that March 8th is International Women's Day, hence WAF and other organizations have organized a march at 5:30 pm at China Chowk to the Parliament House.

All day camp near Mr. Books, Super Market to distribute flyers for rally and and black flags.

Sunday, 9th March:
Massive rally led by Aitzaz Ahsan from his Islamabad residence (Street 16, F-6/3) at 4 pm to the CJ's residence. Bring black flags and wet towels in a plastic bag. Swimming goggles are also recommended since we anticipate heavy teargas.

Camp Sunday till 4 pm near Mr. Books, Super Market to distribute flyers for rally and and black flags. Imran Khan will lead a rally from here to join Aitzaz Ahsan's rally.
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Lahore

Saturday, 8th March:
Car Rally to Advertise Black Flag Week: Cars will be divided in 3 groups to leave from 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) at 3 pm on separate routes (routes will be given on arrival).

Sunday, 9th March:
Car Rally to leave 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) at 3 pm for Justice Ramday's

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Karachi

Saturday, 8th March:
Flag hoisting: Women's Action Forum (WAF), 11:30 am at Teen Talwar

Sunday, 9th March:
Rally inside the premises of Karachi Press Club at 3 pm

The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), Karachi Bar Association (KBA), Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and People’s Resistance are organizing a joint rally with civil society, students, political parties, activist groups, and trade unions to demand the restoration of the Judiciary. Leaders of the lawyer’s movement and others will address the Jalsa.

Black flag-hoisting : Sherbaz Khan Mazari & Iqbal Haider

Sardar Sherbaz Khan Mazari will hoist a black flag at his residence (5/A, 10th South St Ext., DHA Phase II-Ext, near DHA-Library) at 1030 am sharp in the morning in support of Black Flag Week. Iqbal Haider will also attend.

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London:

Sunday, 9th March:
Protest in front of Pakistani High Commission

in London 2 PM - 3 PM. Contact Taimur Rehman ( 07825160691) for details.

In Solidarity,
Samad

Lahore 3 PM, Car Rally, 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) for Justice Ramday's, 9th March

2008-03-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 9th March:
Car Rally to leave 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) at 3 pm for Justice Ramday's House.

Organized by CCP

Islamabad 4 PM, Aitzaz's House, Street 16, F-6/3, to CJ's House

2008-03-08T02:51:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 9th March:
Massive rally led by Aitzaz Ahsan from his Islamabad residence (Street 16, F-6/3) at 4 pm to the CJ's residence. Bring black flags and wet towels in a plastic bag. Swimming goggles are also recommended since we anticipate heavy teargas.

Camp Sunday till 4 pm near Mr. Books, Super Market to distribute flyers for rally and and black flags. Imran Khan will lead a rally from here to join Aitzaz Ahsan's rally.

Karachi, 3 PM, Karachi Press Club, 9th March

2008-03-08T02:46:00.000-08:00

Protest at Karachi Press Club with Lawyers, Political Parties and Civil Society. Organized by People's Resistance.

London, 2-3 PM, Opp Pak High Commission, 9th March

2008-03-08T02:30:00.000-08:00

High Commission London

Lawyers, students, political parties and civil society
organizations are gathering at 2 PM in front of the
High Commission London to express our solidarity with
the Lawyers Movement in Pakistan on the occasion of
the anniversary of the illegal deposal of the Chief
Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry (March 9th).

This event marks one year of intense struggle against
military dictatorship in Pakistan. A year of struggle
that has seen both victories and defeats. Nonetheless
a year of struggle that will go down as a historic
year that witnessed sea tide changes in the political
landscape of Pakistan. People across Pakistan will
mark this day with black flags, protests, marches, and
demonstrations. There are fears of a state crackdown
against protesters making it all the more necessary
that people in London stand in solidarity with our
brothers and sisters back home.

High Commission London
2 PM to 3 PM
Sunday 9th March

The illegal usurpation of power of Pervaiz Musharraf
is now breathing its very last.

Girti Hui Deewar Ko Aik Dhaka Aur Do

Our Demands:
1) Restore the Judiciary
2) Free All Political Prisoners
3) Free the Media
4) Restore the 1973 Constitution

I'll be grateful for any help in organizing this
event. Please send this out to all your london
friends. They can get in touch with me on ;
07825160691

In solidarity
Taimur Rahman

Events in Islamabad

2008-03-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 8th March:
Gather at Mr. Books in F-6 Supermarket for an address by Aitzaz Ahsan to traders of the area and a subsequent march to Aabpara.
Please do not forget that March 8th is International Women’s Day, hence WAF and other organizations have organized a march at 5:30 pm at China Chowk to the Parliament House.

Sunday, 9th March:
Massive rally led by Aitzaz Ahsan from his Islamabad residence (Street 16, F-6/3) at 4 pm to the CJ’s residence. Bring black flags and wet towels in a plastic bag. Swimming goggles are also recommended since we anticipate heavy teargas.

Monday, 10th March:
Car Rally with nearly 50 cars with black flags, taking a round of almost all of the busiest areas of Islamabad, honking all the way, starting from Suharwardy Road at Fire Brigade (4 pm), and going through Aabpara, Supermarket, Jinnah Supermarket, F-8, F-10, G-10, G-9, G-7 and back to Aabpara. The rally will have a public address system to also address public at busy intersections.

Tuesday, 11th March:
Black flag demonstration at Karachi Company from 4 to 6 pm.

Wednesday, 12th March:
Black flag demonstration at F-10 Markaz from 4 to 6 pm

Thursday, 13th March:
Black flag demonstration at F-8 Markaz from 4 to 6 pm.

Friday, 14th March:
Black flag demonstration at G-10 Markaz from 4 to 6 pm.

Saturday, 15th March:
Black flag demonstration at G-7 Markaz (Sitara Market) from 4 to 6 pm.

Sunday, 16th March:
Another massive rally led by Aitzaz Ahsan from his Islamabad residence (Street 16, F-6/3) at 4 pm to the CJ’s residence. Bring black flags and wet towels in a plastic bag. Swimming goggles are also recommended since we anticipate heavy teargas.

Events in Karachi

2008-03-07T03:06:00.000-08:00

Friday, 7th March:
Press Conference with Fakhruddin G Ibrahim at Karachi Press Club, 3:30 pm

[KBA SCHBA KUJ PR]

Saturday, 8th March:
Flag hoisting:

*Women’s Action Forum (WAF), 11:30 am at Teen Talwar

*Jinnah Medical University (Medicare Hospital), 5 pm, Shaheed e Millat Road

Sunday, 9th March:
Protest with political parties at Karachi Press Club at 3 pm

[KBA SCHBA KUJ PR]

Monday, 10th March:
Photography exhibition, details TBA

Flag hoisting:

*Iqbal Haider’s House, 5 pm, D-25, Block 4, KDA 5, Clifton, just after Abdullah Shah Ghazi Mazar, Off. 26th Street

Tuesday, 11th March:
Seminar: “Adlia ki Azadi- Awam ki Azadi” at Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) House at 4:30 pm

[PR PMA]

Wednesday, 12th March:
Protest with All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM) at Idara e Noor e Haq, opposite Islamia College at 6:30 pm

[APDM]

Thursday, 13th March:
Bushra Aitzaz to address the Karachi Bar Association (KBA). Time has yet to be fixed.

[KBA]

Awaiting confirmation:
*Photography exhibition, March 10th
*Venue and time for KBA event of March 13th

Events in Lahore

2008-03-06T17:33:00.001-08:00

Thursday March 6 & 13 :

Full showing at Lawyers' Rally 10.30 am - Aiwan-e-adal.

Friday March 7:

Awareness Rally at Icchra (Signal Chowk near the Shell pump) in coordination with lawyers and traders at 4.45 pm

Saturday March 8:

Car Rally to Advertise Black Flag Week – Cars will be divided in 3 groups to leave from 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) at 3 pm on separate routes (routes will be given on arrival)

Sunday March 9 :

Car Rally to leave 5 Zaman Park (Nehr Ghar) at 3 pm for Justice Ramday's

Monday March 10 to Thursday March 14 DAILY :

Black Flag Rally at Liberty Roundabout - 5.00 -5.45 pm

Friday March 15, 3.00 pm:

Black Flag Rally at Iqbal's Mazaar

Saturday, March 16, 3.00 pm:

Black Flag Rally at Minar-e-Pakistan

Material for Black Flag Week (available by Saturday):

Black Flags: 5,000
Stickers: 2,000 (1,000 english, 1,000 urdu)
Caps: 500 (available for Rs,100 each)
T-shirts: Available in M & L for Rs. 300 each.
Banner in 3 sizes - 3 yards (Rs. 175), 5 yards (Rs. 275), 7 yards (Rs. 375)
Flyers for distribution.

IN ADDITION ,many of you kindly volunteered to disseminate the flags, flyers and banners in your areas and at university campuses. The material will be ready for pick up on saturday at the following points:

Pick-up Points for Material:

1. Rukhsana Imran Ali, 25 Zaman Park (0300) 842-7553
2. Zain Aziz, 49 Main Gulberg (0300) 845-5795

3. Hamid Zaman, 41 street 2, Cavalry Grounds (0300) 846-2727