* Known political activists, advocates not released

* Nisar Shah refuses to sign the affidavit of obedience

By: Farooq Tariq

The government claimed yesterday that they have released 3400 political prisoners. Earlier they were denying that they have arrested so many. But most of the political leaders and known activists are not yet released.

Labour Party Pakistan chairperson Nisar Shah has refused a government offer to be release on conditions. He was asked to sign an affidavit declaring that he will not be involved in political agitation in future. At Adiala jail Rawalpindi, he was offered to be release immediately if he sign this letter. He was asked several times and the officials told him that it is just a way to get out of jail.  "You can do your activities while once you are out and no body will consider this letter under pressure" the authorities tried their best by such arguments.

Some of the political activists and those supporters who were arrested during the movement signed such letters and were released immediately. But Nisar Shah has refused to sign any such letter of shame. Nisar Shah was arrested on 7^th November while leading an advocate demonstration in Islamabad.

His younger brother Waheed Shah and Labour Party Pakistan organizer in Rawalpindi Mumtaz Arzoo met him yesterday on 20^th November, at Adiala  jail and told the reporters later that Nisar Shah is on high moral. He has no regrets despite being in jail for the last 15 days. He wants the advocates to continue the movement till the end of dictatorship. He has asked all LPP, trade unions, social and Left activists to become part of the movement. Nisar Shah told them that he will never bow to the pressure of the military regime and would not ask any favor from the regime. 

He is detained with five other advocates in cell number two. They have taken a similar position and have refused to cooperate with the regime.

Aitezaz Ahsan, the president of Supreme Court Bar Association who is also in the same jail but locked in the next cell to theirs has refused to be admitted in a hospital, a sort of favor to isolate the leaders from activists. He said I will not leave the jail while others are here.

At Karachi, trade union leader Farid Awan, Ayub Quresshi, Liaqat Shah, National Workers Party senior vice president Yousaf Masti Khan, Hasil Bezenjo president National Party and other political leaders are still locked and are facing sedition charges.

Please keep protesting