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10 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 40/2001
Pirzada Imtiaz Syed, General Secretary of the Pakistan WAPDA Labour Union (PWLU), has been released on bail.
Pirzada was arrested on 1 June, when the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raided the union's headquarters. The raid was a very violent one, during which a member of the union staff had his arm broken, computers and other equipment were smashed and the PWLU's files were seized.
At the time, no reason was given for Pirzada's arrest.
WAPDA is the Pakistani power utility, currently facing privatisation plans.
Pirzada was detained until 12 June, when a judge ordered his release. The union leader is now in hospital, as a result of the ill-treatment that he received during interrogation.
It is understood that he could still face trial on vaguely formulated financial charges. Pirzada says he wishes to answer the charges as soon as he is fit enough to do so, as they are completely bogus.
At the global level, the PWLU is affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM).
The ICEM and its affiliated unions worldwide lobbied for Pirzada's release, and have assured him of their continuing solidarity.
Pirzada was arrested on 1 June, when the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raided the union's headquarters. The raid was a very violent one, during which a member of the union staff had his arm broken, computers and other equipment were smashed and the PWLU's files were seized.
At the time, no reason was given for Pirzada's arrest.
WAPDA is the Pakistani power utility, currently facing privatisation plans.
Pirzada was detained until 12 June, when a judge ordered his release. The union leader is now in hospital, as a result of the ill-treatment that he received during interrogation.
It is understood that he could still face trial on vaguely formulated financial charges. Pirzada says he wishes to answer the charges as soon as he is fit enough to do so, as they are completely bogus.
At the global level, the PWLU is affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM).
The ICEM and its affiliated unions worldwide lobbied for Pirzada's release, and have assured him of their continuing solidarity.