LAHORE, Aug 9: Human Rights activist Asma Jehangir has termed it regrettable that the Pakistan Rangers should launch a smear campaign against those supporting tenants on Okara military farms rather than address the main issue regarding serious violations of human rights on the farms, says a press release on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the Supreme Court advocate issued the following rejoinder to the statement issued by the Rangers: “The spokesperson for the Rangers should inform the public of the number of tenants who were arrested on charges of anti-terrorism and the number of complaints of torture and kidnapping made by the tenants of Okara farm. There are several independent reports of the atrocities committed by Rangers on the tenants of Okara farms.

“The spokesperson for the Rangers has alleged that vested interest groups are spreading false stories in order to damage the image of the military. Sadly the image of the military can only be judged by their own actions. Ms Jehangir can hardly add more to the already tarnished image for which the military has only themselves to blame. There are numerous accounts including those found in the Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission report and the recent book Chalie Wilson’s War to damage the credibility of our military leaders. The list of such published accounts are too many and deeply embarrassing to recount.

“To shield their cruel acts against the Okara tenants, the spokesperson for the Rangers has made stereotype allegations against NGOs. Representatives of the military would be best advised to refrain from referring to ‘foreign masters of the NGOs’ at a time when they are themselves perceived to be serving the interests of the Bush administration. Any grouse that the Rangers may have with ‘foreign hands’ should be seriously pursued by them through official and transparent channels rather than through frivolous press statements.

“The image of the armed forces is very dear to all Pakistanis. That is why the NGOs, the local media, political parties, trade unions and social activists have been trying to persuade the Rangers to give up their highhanded tactics. Ms Jehangir has pleaded with the Rangers to forgo their claim on the Okara Farms in order to prove that those who accuse them of land-grabbing are wrong. The land on Okara farm belongs to the Punjab government which was confirmed by the Revenue Minister on the floor of the Punjab Assembly. The spokesperson of the Rangers has alluded to the court being in their favour. The Bar has time and again supported the position of tenants, and there is no clear title of the land with the Rangers. “The Rangers have unleashed a reign of terror. Several tenants have been tortured and a number of others kidnapped or illegally detained by them. Four people have been shot dead. There are serious allegations that the Rangers have repeatedly used excessive force. The Rangers are a law unto themselves. The notice they have issued to employees of the Military Okara farm who are relatives of the tenants belies the Rangers’ claim that all is well on Okara farms and the tension is only a figment of the imagination of vested interests.”