Rally for Sindhis' Rights in Washington, D.C.

[Gul Agha <agha@CS.UIUC.EDU>]

>From: "Khalid Hashmani" <khashmani@hotmail.com>

    Protesters rally for Sindhis' rights

    By Denise Barnes
    THE WASHINGTON TIMES
    August 14, 2004

    A small group of demonstrators gathered yesterday near the Embassy
    of Pakistan in Northwest to voice their opposition to the policies
    of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

    About 20 protesters at the "Vigil for Democracy and Justice in
    Pakistan" huddled on the corner of International Drive and Van
    Ness Street carrying placards reading, "Musharraf, Give Up Your
    Weapons of Mass Destruction," "Down with Musharraf. Down with the
    Pakistani Army," and "Down with Corrupt Pakistani Generals."

    The hour-long vigil was sponsored by the World Sindhi Institute
    (WSI), an organization based in Northwest that is committed to its
    struggle for human rights for Sindhis in southeastern Pakistan
    through nonviolent advocacy and activism.

    "We cannot continue to ignore current conditions in Pakistan. The
    Pakistani people are being discriminated against and tortured
    under the current banner of democracy, and world leaders are
    turning a blind eye," said Munawar Laghari, WSI executive
    director.

    "With the world distracted by events in Iraq and Afghanistan, the
    Pakistani government has had free rein to commit numerous human
    rights violations. There was a sharp increase in sectarian
    violence in the second half of the year, particularly in the
    provinces of Sindh and Balochistan," he said.

    The threat of rain did not stop John Salzberg, 67, from coming out
    to support the organization's efforts to publicize the reputed
    atrocities taking place in the Pakistani provinces of Sindh and
    Balochistan.

    "I feel that the U.S. policy in supporting dictatorial governments
    like the one in Pakistan is promoting terrorism," Mr. Salzberg
    said.

    "Many in the Muslim world see the United States in this light,
    whether [it's] Pakistan, Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. You can see
    inconsistencies in U.S. policies, and one of the worst purveyors
    of mass destruction is Pakistan. Pakistan gave weapons to Libya,
    [North] Korea and Iran," he said referring to Abdul Qadeer Khan,
    the founder of Pakistan's nuclear program who was pardoned by
    Gen. Musharraf for selling weapons secrets to Iran, Libya and
    North Korea.

    Lisa Washington, 29, joined in the chorus of protesters who
    chanted at the top of their lungs: "Pakistani Military Go Home"
    and "Democracy In - Dictatorship Out," during the
    vigil. Ms. Washington said she believes in the issues WSI is
    bringing to the forefront.

    "General Musharraf is allowing dams to be built on the Thal Canal
    [sic] - a major canal - that carries water to provinces in
    Pakistan. It would be like cutting off parts of the Mississippi
    River," said Ms. Washington, who lives in Northeast.

    "The people of Sindh don't [have access] to water so they can't
    grow their crops. It's an easy way to commit genocide," she said.

    Khalid Hashmani, a member of the Sindh Association of North
    America, moved through the crowd stopping to talk with protesters
    and energized the group by shouting slogans through a bullhorn.
    "This is a day that is supposed to be a celebration of human
    rights, equal rights and achievement in Pakistan," said
    Mr. Hashmani, referring to the date 57 years ago when Pakistan
    formally came into existence.

    "Unfortunately, today in Pakistan, cruel and discriminatory
    policies adopted by the present dictatorial government [are in
    place] against the people of Sindh and Balochistan," Mr. Hashmani
    said.

  http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20040814-104747-4154r.htm
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