KARACHI: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) governing council has raised concern about the worrisome extremism in political debate, saying it is harmful to democratic, the authority of parliament, and constitutional government.
The council said it is equally concerned about the resulting economic uncertainty, massive inflation, and the risk of food insecurity, which are unfairly affecting the working and middle classes, according to a press release released after the conclusion of its biannual meeting on Saturday. Punjab, the country’s most populous province, is stuck in a political mess. On critical challenges affecting the country, HRCP urged for political cooperation.
The council emphasised a couple of significant human rights issues that the people are dealing with, such as the impact of climate change, as indicated by various glacial flooding in Gilgit-Baltistan, the continuing heatwave in Punjab, and severe water shortages in Sindh and Balochistan, which have resulted in provincial conflicts, displacement, and economic difficulties.
It noticed an increase in police violence against nonviolent demonstrators around Pakistan, with activists and political activists being arrested on anti-state accusations becoming more regular. Press freedom is under constant threat, and journalists have been repeatedly targeted. Instead than retaliating with unjustified violence, the state should protect people’s rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
