FBI implicated in house raids
Today by day`s end or early tomorrow will be able to pass the result of bye elections to 29 seats in national and provincial assemblies. These seats [10 national and 19 provincial assemblies] were vacated by winning candidates of various political parties who had won on more than one seat during the general elections held last October 10.
These participating political parties include different political shades. Some are subserviently following the dictates of Washington, like the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) [PML (Q)] and allies. On the other extreme is the coaoition of six religio-political parties, Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal [United Council for Action (MMA)] who feel Pakistan`s support to the US war on terrorism is seriously damaging her national sovereignty.
Police and other security agencies along with the American FBI are raiding houses of persons who are suspected of slightest sympathy with the Islamic forces within Afghanistan. Of late three such incidents occurred, twice in Lahore and once in the port city of Karachi.
The October 10 elections has thrown up a diverse mix of representatives to the national and the four provincial legislatures. The MMA and PML (Q) have been able to form their exclusive governments in the provinces of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Punjab respectively while the governments in Islamabad and the two other provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan are a loose coalition dominanted by the ruling PML (Q).
The results of today`s bye election are likely to rock the political boat even more precariously within the country. It will also have serious implications on Pakistan`s role in the US war on Iraq.
Tariq Mahmood, Peshawar, Pakistan
