KARACHI, May 17: The civil society organizations on Tuesday condemning the police action against the human rights activists in Lahore on May 14 have demanded that the Punjab government and the Lahore city government should extend a public apology immediately.

Speaking at a press conference at the Press Club, the representatives of the civil society organizations said that the reign of terror let loose by the police on the human rights activists, who had gathered to protest against the gender-based violence by organizing a mini marathon, had exposed the true colours of the government, which claimed to be a supporter of enlightened moderation.

The press conference was addressed jointly by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s Sindh chief Zohra Yusuf, Anis Haroon of the Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights, HRCP councillors Uzma Noorani, Asad I. Butt, Rochiram, Amarnath and others.

They said that the police manhandled the women in general and HRCP chairperson Asma Jehangir in particular, besides arresting more than 30 participants, who were released later without any charges.

The speakers pointed out that the decision to organize the mini marathon was taken to draw attention towards rising incidents of violence against women, especially when they came out to participate in public events as equal citizens of the state – as happened recently at the marathons held at Gujranwala and Sargodha.

They said the violent crackdown in Lahore demonstrated that enlightened moderation would not be tolerated in practice. They said that the police claim that they were present owing to the threats by Shabab-i-Milli was fake as no member of that organization was anywhere in sight when the law enforcers went on a rampage.

The representatives of civil society organizations said it was clear that the police action was premeditated with the intention of intimidating participants, particularly women, so that the voices of dissent could be suppressed. They, however, made it clear that such highhandedness on part of the government would not discourage citizens from raising their voices against injustices.