3400 prisoners freed, 2000 remain

According to Dawn, the Interior Ministry has freed 3400 political prisoners who had been arrested since martial law. This leaves approximately 2000 which the Ministry claims will be released soon as well. That will mean that only a handful will remain under arrest - those who have been formally charged with crimes such as sedition and treason. According to the Ministry, these people must apply for bail through the courts (those sad subverted things).

I suspect that this is the result of US pressure on Musharraf. If it is true, hopefully it will mean that the movement will gain some more oxygen and momentum, with the release of hundreds of activists, lawyers, and party workers.

Speaking of US pressure, last night I was stuck in a massive traffic jam in the Clifton area. I learned later that it was due to the visit of the US ambassador to see Benazir Bhutto (Bilawal House, Benazir's residence, is in Clifton). Under any other circumstances, it would be odd that the US ambassador is in Karachi to see Benazir, an opposition politician who has no official standing. But as some friends of mine keep saying, This Is Pakistan.

Anne and Benazir, sitting in a tree...