The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a press conference on Saturday, alleging that the US State Department’s report on human rights in Pakistan supported their claims regarding the state of lawlessness and fascism in the country over the past two years. The party highlighted serious human rights violations outlined in the report, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, lack of fair trial, disappearance of journalists, restrictions on internet freedom, interference in peaceful assembly and association, and torture with impunity.
Raoof Hasan, the PTI’s central information secretary, described a culture of lawlessness prevailing in the country, where people’s freedom and dignity were not safe from “state goons.” He criticized the current power dynamics, suggesting the existence of a “de facto martial law” where the orders of “shadow powers” were being implemented without challenge. Hasan called on Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa to fulfill his constitutional duties and address the “reign of tyranny” or step down from his position.
Senator Walid Iqbal emphasized the significance of the US report, particularly in assessing the performance of the government after the regime change. He highlighted violations documented in the report, including instances of custodial torture and unlawful raids on the homes of PTI leaders and supporters.
Advocate Abuzar Salman Niazi echoed the sentiment, stating that the US report corroborated the PTI’s claims regarding human rights abuses and constitutional violations. He criticized the lack of rule of law and judicial independence, citing widespread extrajudicial killings and violations of privacy, dignity, and freedom of expression.
Niazi also revealed the issuance of numerous Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) orders against PTI leaders and supporters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, suggesting a crackdown on peaceful assembly under the guise of maintaining public order. He commended Justice Babar Sattar of the Islamabad High Court for taking a stand against such order