LAHORE: Speakers at a seminar on Friday condemned extra-judicial killings, especially the latest in Sahiwal, and disappearances, attributing them to the weakening of political parties, civil society and people in Pakistan.

Such things were illegal and amoral and could not be justified by any means, said the speakers at the seminar on ‘Extra-judicial killings and disappearances’ by SAFMA at its Shadman office.

SAFMA General Secretary Imtiaz Alam said the Sahiwal incident had shaken the people of Punjab. Such incidents were not new to other provinces and the state and its institutions were not ready to respect the constitution. It was always expected of the state to abide by its constitution.

He said state did not have the right to take anybody’s life. It is its duty to protect citizens’ right to life. Usage of terrorism as a pretext to take lives is very dangerous, he said, adding that the state used religion for advancing its agenda and divided the society.

He said none of the political parties in the country protested against the Sahiwal incident, asking who would stand for the rights of people. Why the four people were killed when they were not putting any resistance, he asked.

He said the state was itself opting lawlessness. And if this happens who will control law and order, he asked, demanding that there should be no cover up to save any of the officials responsible for the killing.

He said people were required to be organised to resist such incidents.

Dr Lal Khan mentioning the conviction of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto said there had also been judicial killings in the country. He said actually state was not to protect the rights of people instead it was to usurp them to the benefit of a few ruling people.

He said first 40 articles of the Pakistani constitution which guaranteed the rights of citizens had been practically held in abeyance since its creation in 1973. The articles actively used were introduced by Gen Ziaul Haq. The deprived sections of the society must get together to protect themselves against the oppression by a few.

Lawyer Iftikhar Shahid said no state institution had any legal or constitutional authority to kill any citizen. No state institution including media was performing its duty correctly.

Rights activist from Azad Kashmir Zaman Khan and others said the Sahiwal incident sent a negative message about Pakistan. It had terrified all citizens and shaken their confidence into the state.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2019