Pakistan: Human rights body concerned over lack of level playing field in February 8 polls

In the run-up to the general elections on February 8, Pakistan’s top human rights authority expressed worry on Monday about some political parties, especially the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), not having equal treatment. The elections conducted under the current circumstances, according to Munizae Jahangir, co-chair of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), will remain dubious. “Our concern is that there will always remain a question mark on whichever government is formed as a result of this,” she said while addressing a press conference here. She went on to say that transparent elections were necessary to avoid any potential problems. Munizae claimed that the HRCP had brought up the matter multiple times and that Imran Khan’s party was the victim of “systematic dismemberment.” In order to guarantee fair elections, it encouraged the government and election officials to solve the problem. Low on funds Pakistan will hold elections on February 8. “I think we all know how the non-elected people have used their influence to monitor or direct politicians. We want the caretaker government and Election Commission of Pakistan to assert themselves and fulfil the responsibilities of carrying out free and fair elections that have been entrusted to them,” she said. The HRCP expressed its serious worry in a statement about the general decline in human rights, citing the “blatant manipulation” of the election process as one instance where “one political party among others has been singled out for systematic dismemberment”. Additionally, it claimed that throughout the previous year, state and non-state actors had resumed their attacks on the rights of vulnerable populations. It claimed that many women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are at risk as a result of the widespread expulsion of vulnerable Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. Additionally, the HRCP claimed that the State’s crackdown on dissent, whether it be related to assembly, freedom of expression, or opinion, has further limited civic spaces in the nation at a time when people need to be free to express their opinions before a national election. It said that an elected administration that legitimately takes office must address its issues first and foremost. Based in Lahore, the HRCP is an impartial human rights organisation that freely discusses the state of affairs regarding rights in the nation. (With agency inputs)