LAHORE: Four months after the disappearance of political worker and human rights defender Idris Khattak, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) remains greatly concerned as to his physical and mental well being.

Allegedly, Mr Khattak was forcibly disappeared on Nov 13, 2019, by four plainclothes men on the Swabi motorway interchange in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite lobbying by the HRCP and international rights organisations such as Amnesty International and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, the authorities have shown little sign of pursuing his case seriously. This is especially alarming, given that Mr Khattak suffers from diabetes and requires daily medication, says a press release.

The HRCP demands that the government take every possible measure to recover Mr Khattak safely, ensure that he has immediate access to medical attention and legal counsel, and take swift action against the perpetrators.

With 2,128 cases of enforced disappearances still pending with the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances as of end-February 2020 (a number that HRCP believes is far lower than the actual), the government must take a firm stand against this abhorrent practice by signing and implementing the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2020

Opinion

Economic liberalism

Economic liberalism

In the midst of debates on state intervention versus free market policies, The Economist has published a special report ‘The Homeland Economics’.

Editorial

Next steps
Updated 02 Dec, 2023

Next steps

An impression is gaining currency that the decision-makers want more time to continue stabilising the economy.
Massacre resumes
Updated 02 Dec, 2023

Massacre resumes

Efforts should be made to renew the ceasefire, but they should also push for a long-term cessation of hostilities.
Wearing poison
02 Dec, 2023

Wearing poison

A RECENT study by Karachi University has cast a spotlight on the contamination of children’s jewellery with toxic...
Half victories
Updated 01 Dec, 2023

Half victories

Nawaz Sharif cannot be considered irrational for lacking faith in the judicial process.
AIDS alarm
01 Dec, 2023

AIDS alarm

AS countries observe World AIDS Day today, it is a moment of reflection for Pakistan, which is grappling with an...
Turbat protest
01 Dec, 2023

Turbat protest

ONCE again, people in Balochistan are out on the streets against the alleged excesses of the state. The trigger of...