Quick arrests - seen all over the country - would have shown that we punish looters swiftly.

The riot had erupted after the police tried to make an illegal arrest of a boy they had decided wasn't showing them enough respect.

"Clearly, today's arrests show that over time, any given person can figure out a way to evade a system's integrity controls."

"And of course, their arrests show the Chinese security apparatus keeps very close eyes on these people."

He said the arrests showed that the interim government was not interested in democracy despite a promise to hold elections next year.

But Professor Perlstein said the arrests, coming after years of investigation, showed how long it took to bring domestic terrorists to justice.

The arrest of those involved in the 'million signatures' campaign shows how society is being prevented from exercising its right to speak out on important issues.

While the arrests this week clearly showed some Pakistani cooperation, they also seemed to indicate that terrorist training camps remain active.

The statement adds that the arrest shows that justice will come to such criminals.

And, he said, drug-related arrests have shown "a 41 percent increase in just the last three months."