KARACHI, 24 October — More than 200 people were arrested after police used batons and fired tear gas to disperse a crowd trying to attack Jacobabad air base being used by US troops. Baton-wielding police beat back protesters injuring 14 people.
The protesters from the Jamaat-e-Islami party clashed with police after evading tight security in Jacobabad in southern Sindh province where the US military is using an air base to provide logistical support for attacks on Afghanistan.
The clash came after hundreds of Jamaat activists, the largest religious party in Pakistan, and other pro-Taleban groups were detained in the previous 24 hours in a government crackdown on anti-American demonstrations in the city, police and party sources said.
Jamaat leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed, barred from attending the protest, threatened to lead a march on the capital Islamabad to oust the military government.
“I warn Gen. Pervez Musharraf to withdraw support for the United States, otherwise our members and those from other religious parties will mount a march on Islamabad to oust his government,” Ahmed told his supporters in Jacobabad by telephone from Mansehra in northwestern Pakistan. “This government has handed over Jacobabad air base to the enemies of Islam,” he said.
Shahbaz air base in Jacobabad is one of at least three being used by the US military as part of Pakistan’s pledge to provide the United States with non-combat logistical support for its strikes on Afghanistan.
“We don’t want to fight in the streets but if Musharraf’s government falls, the policy will automatically change,” Ahmed said.
The dusty, hitherto an unknown city, shot to international prominence after the government decided to allow it to be used by US forces. Security was beefed up in Jacobabad on Monday to pre-empt moves by religious parties to stage a demonstration and attack the air base. The airport has been placed under the control of the Pakistan Army, while Rangers and police patrolled the town.
Trees and trucks were used to block roads into the Sindh province city yesterday and at least 3,000 security officers were brought in to stop attempts by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party to demonstrate outside the base.
Around 200 people attempted to stage a demonstration in the city center but were forced to flee when they were charged by police wielding batons, witnesses said. Shops were closed and paramilitary forces and police patrolled the streets.
Hundreds of paramilitary troops and soldiers were also on duty around Jacobabad air base. US forces have support facilities at Jacobabad for their military campaign against the Taleban regime in Afghanistan.
The rally is one of several called by opposition parties in protest at the Pakistan government’s support for the US bombing campaign. Sindh home secretary Brig. Mukhtar Sheikh warned that any demonstrators using violence or trying to march on the air base would be harshly dealt with.
