Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over the human rights violations in Pakistan, saying that the police have used abusive measures in the escalating confrontation between police and Imran Khan’s supporters.
“The use of Pakistan’s vague and overbroad anti-terrorism provisions against opposition protesters is very worrying,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “If the authorities believe that Khan’s or his supporters’ actions have resulted in violence or constituted a real threat to public safety, they should be charged under the appropriate laws.”
According to a human rights report, police in Pakistan took action against human rights in clashes with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists, baton-charged protesters and detained them under the serious anti-terrorism law.
Authorities should not violate the right to peaceful protest by using force and take legal action against those involved in the provocation, the report said.
It may be recalled that dozens of people were injured in a clash between police and PTI workers on the occasion of the appearance of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in a subordinate court in Islamabad, several vehicles and a police post were set on fire, after which several people, including the PTI chairman, were booked under terrorism sections, and 2000 PTI workers were arrested.
