LAHORE – The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Sunday expressed alarm at growing intolerance and abuse of belief, continued incidents of enforced disappearance and illegal detention of citizens in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and proliferation of sectarian violence and a general breakdown in law and order in the country, terming these overwhelming challenges to the citizens’ right to life and freedom to practise their religious belief.
“The commission is disappointed at the continued enforced disappearances and illegal detention across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This endemic malaise has proliferated in conjunction with sectarian violence, which is both widespread and systematic.
“The HRCP expects and calls on civil society and the media to actively play a more responsible role as watchdogs for people’s rights and in continuously reminding the authorities of their obligation towards all human rights of all citizens without exception,” said a statement issued at the conclusion of the HRCP Council meeting.