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DATE=3/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / BAN / L
NUMBER=2-260242
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Pakistan's military government has banned 
open-air political rallies and strikes.   As V-O-A's 
Scott Anger reports from Islamabad, Pakistan's 
interior minister says the government is concerned 
neighboring India will try to disrupt peaceful 
demonstrations with violence, ahead of President 
Clinton's visit to the country later this month.
TEXT:  The nationwide ban on public rallies takes 
effect immediately.  The government says it will allow 
indoor meetings, but the use of loudspeakers is 
prohibited.
Pakistani Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider says the 
ban will stay in effect until after President 
Clinton's visit.
            ///HAIDER ACTUALITY///
This is not (based on) a specific incident.  But there 
is a general atmosphere prevailing in our country.  
There have been many bomb blasts in the recent past 
and there have been some terrorist killings.  Of 
course, (because of) President Clinton's visit, we are 
taking security measures and this will also help us.
            ///END ACTUALITY///
The interior minister says India wants to tarnish 
Pakistan's image and prevent President Clinton from 
stopping in Pakistan during his one-week visit to 
South Asia.  Relations between India and Pakistan have 
deteriorated recently, as the countries blame each 
other whenever violent acts take place.  Mr. Haider 
says India continues to try and portray Pakistan as a 
terrorist state.
The Pakistan Human Rights Commission has condemned the 
ban as a deplorable act and called on the military 
government to restore democracy, as soon as possible.
The ban on open-air political meetings is the first 
such move by the military government since it seized 
control of Pakistan in a bloodless coup October 12th.  
No significant street protests against the government 
have taken place since the coup.
The government has given no indication of how long the 
ban will be in effect, but the interior minister says 
it will be reviewed "after a few weeks."  (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/WD
16-Mar-2000 06:52 AM EDT (16-Mar-2000 1152 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.