disappearances

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission (HRCP) has expressed its "grave concern" over the increasing frequency and "sheer impunity" with which anyone critical of the state is being targeted, reportedly by security agencies.

In a statement on Thursday, HRCP has said that it is "appalled at the recent abduction of Gul Bukhari, a journalist known for her views on law enforcement organizations. While Bukhari was returned safely home within a few hours, the fact that she was summarily picked up from the Lahore Cantonment should make it clear that enforced disappearances are rapidly becoming the norm-an easy and arbitrary means of intimidating those who do not toe the line."

Taking note of the recent press briefing held by the DG ISPR on June 4, HRCP has also expressed its strong disapproval of the slide display of images and names of social media users and of branding them "anti-state". "With less than two months to the elections," added the Commission, "an ominous pattern seems to be emerging: even the slightest expression of political dissent, especially by journalists and social media activists, can be labelled "anti-state", often with worrying implications for their physical safety.—NNI