Information on a chief minister named Manzoor Elahi or on recent administrative reforms in the Punjab is currently unavailable to the DIRB in Ottawa.

Little information is available on police activities in the Punjab in the period following the election of Manzoor Wattoo as Chief Minister of the Punjab (Asiaweek 3 Nov. 1993). The January 1994 issue of the Pakistani magazine The Herald reported that the Lahore High Court recently ordered the crimes branch of the Punjab police to look into a land embezzlement affair that was delayed for years (Jan. 1994a, 124). In the past, the Punjab police had been lenient in investigating abuses by members of the Punjabi elite (ibid.). In January 1994, in order to arrest the combatants, police reportedly "barricaded" a Punjabi village where Shi'a-Sunni clashes had occurred (BBC Summary 24 Jan. 1994). Recently, an all-female police station was opened in the Punjabi city of Rawalpindi (Time 7 Feb. 1994). However, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report states that "police excesses against women in custody remained common routine" (Reuters 19 Jan. 1994).

Moreover, Manzoor Watto has had some of the traditional powers of a chief minister taken away from him, to the benefit of the PPP's senior leader in the Punjab, Faisal Saleh Hayat (The Herald Jan. 1994b, 110; ibid. Jan. 1994c, 119). For example, all appointments by the chief minister must now be approved by the governor (ibid.).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Asiaweek [Hong Kong]. 3 November 1993. "Manzoor Watto."

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 24 January 1994. "Five Killed in Attack on Shi'is in Punjab; Iran Blames Wahhabi Group." (NEXIS)

The Herald [Karachi]. January 1994a. Aamer Ahmed Khan. "Breach of Trust?"

_____. January 1994b. Ayaz Amir. "Defying the Pundits."

_____. January 1994c. Aamer Ahmed Khan. "The Best of Enemies."

Reuters. 19 January 1994. BC Cycle. "Pakistan Human Rights Abuses Continue, Says Report." (NEXIS)

The Time [New York]. 7 February 1994. "Talk of the Streets."

Attachments

Asiaweek [Hong Kong]. 3 November 1993. "Manzoor Watto."

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 24 January 1994. "Five Killed in Attack on Shi'is in Punjab; Iran Blames Wahhabi Group." (NEXIS)

The Herald [Karachi]. January 1994a. Aamer Ahmed Khan. "Breach of Trust?"

_____. January 1994b. Ayaz Amir. "Defying the Pundits."

_____. January 1994c. Aamer Ahmed Khan. "The Best of Enemies."

Reuters. 19 January 1994. BC Cycle. "Pakistan Human Rights Abuses Continue, Says Report." (NEXIS)

The Time [New York]. 7 February 1994. "Talk of the Streets."