PESHAWAR, May 10: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the government’s country-wide crack-down under the preventive detention laws, and called for action against known terrorists under normal criminal laws.

The commission has also pleaded for consultation with political parties and civil society for evolving a campaign against terrorism based on public support.

In a statement issued here on Friday the commission chairman Afrasiab Khattak and secretary-general Hina Jilani said that people wanted action against terrorists and the authorities did not have to wait till the horrifying incident in Karachi, before launching the present crack-down.

However, the statement said, the commission was amazed that instead of proceeding against terrorists under normal laws, several hundred people have been randomly detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) indicated a lack of seriousness on the part of the authorities.

This in turn would lead to further problems, by perpetuating a cycle of resentment and violence, they said.

The HRCP is convinced that the increased incidents of violence seen in recent months confirmed the worsening of governance in the country, which stemmed from the suspension of democratic institutions and the exclusion of people from public affairs.