Islamabad - Police in central Pakistan have arrested hundreds of opposition workers in an apparent bid to suppress the growing political movement against President Pervez Musharraf, media reports said Tuesday.
Leaders and activists of various political opposition and religious parties were detained in Punjab province in several raids over the preceding 24 hours, according to the Geo news channel.
The move came as the legal fraternity, rights activists and opposition parties were planning further demonstrations against the suspension in March of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry by Musharraf for alleged misconduct.
The Punjab University in the city of Lahore was also closed down on Tuesday to prevent students from joining anti-government processions, Geo said. The university has more than 25,000 students and is regarded as a stronghold of opposition supporters.
Meanwhile, authorities in Islamabad registered cases against more than 200 people, mainly journalists, for holding a protest rally in the capital on Monday night over draconian new restrictions on media coverage of the Chaudhry crisis.
Under an ordinance issued by the president, electronic media regulators can seize equipment, seal premises and suspend licences of a broadcasters. Pressure has increased on channels in recent weeks, with blockages of transmission and a ban on live coverage of opposition protests.
The current anti-government movement that was initially launched by lawyers and opposition parties is now broadening as various segments of civil society, including media workers, join its ranks.
A 'black day' will be observed on June 7 by journalists' organizations to protest growing infringements on media freedom. Rallies will be held across the country, organizers have said.
Many Pakistanis view the judge's removal as an attempt to prevent any legal challenge to Musharraf's plan to win re-election by parliament in October.
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