DATE=1/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-225123
TITLE=PAK VIOLENCE (L)
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS AND POLICE CLASHED IN THE
PAKISTANI PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF LAHORE AFTER THE MASSACRE OF AT
LEAST 24 PEOPLE IN WHAT POLICE ARE CALLING A TERRORIST ATTACK.
CORRESPONDENT MEREDITH BUEL HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: SHI'ITE MUSLIM MOURNERS PELTED POLICE WITH STONES, BURNED
CARS, AND VOWED TO SEEK REVENGE IN PAKISTAN'S CULTURAL CAPITAL OF
LAHORE. THE MOURNERS WERE GATHERED FOR A FUNERAL FOR SHI'ITE
MUSLIMS MURDERED SUNDAY.
V-O-A REPORTER AURENG ZEB SAID THE PROTESTERS ATTACKED GOVERNMENT
OFFICES AND TRIED TO SET THEM ON FIRE.
// ZEB ACT //
SO ANYBODY IN THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES -- (SOUND OF GUNSHOTS) THEY
ARE ATTACKING. (REPORTER) WHAT IS THAT? THIS IS THE FIRING
WHICH I TOLD YOU IS GOING ON AT THE MOMENT. (REPORTER) WHO IS
FIRING AT WHOM? (SOUND OF GUNSHOTS). IT IS TOTALLY CONFUSED --
NOBODY KNOWS -- I THINK THIS IS TEAR GASSING.
// END ACT //
POLICE USED TEAR GAS TO DISPERSE THE CROWD AND ARE CONTINUING TO
PATROL THE STREETS IN ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS.
THE PROTEST TOOK PLACE IN A PARK IN THE HEART OF LAHORE WHERE
VICTIM'S OF SUNDAY'S MASSACRE WERE WRAPPED IN WHITE SHROUDS.
REPORTS SAID MARKETS AND SHOPS IN LAHORE ARE CLOSED BECAUSE OF
THE VIOLENCE.
AN UNDERGROUND SUNNI MILITANT GROUP -- LASHKAR-E-JHANGVI -- IS
REPORTEDLY CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MASSACRE.
ABOUT 100 SHI'ITE MUSLIMS WERE ATTENDING A RELIGIOUS CEREMONY AT
A CEMETERY WHEN THREE UNIDENTIFIED GUNMEN SPRAYED THE GATHERING
WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FIRE. THE CEMETERY HAS ONLY ONE ENTRANCE
SO THERE WAS NO ESCAPE FOR THE SHI'ITES WHO WERE PRAYING FOR THE
DEAD.
SHI'ITES MAKEUP ABOUT 15-PERCENT OF PAKISTAN'S POPULATION.
POLITICAL LEADERS CONDEMNED THE ATTACK.
FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN TARIQ ALTAF SAID UNSPECIFIED FOREIGN
COUNTRIES ARE INVOLVED IN THE VIOLENCE.
// ALTAF ACT //
SURELY IT IS A FOREIGN HAND -- SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT WANT TO SEE
STABILITY IN PAKISTAN -- WHO WANTS TO SEE INSTABILITY IN
PAKISTAN.
// END ACT //
VIOLENCE BETWEEN SHI'ITE AND SUNNI MUSLIM MILITANTS CLAIMED ABOUT
200 LIVES IN PUNJAB PROVINCE LAST YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/MB/RAE
12-Jan-98 8:16 AM EST (1316 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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