THE return of Aun Ali Khosa, a satirist and social media activist, has brought much relief to his family and supporters. But it has also raised some unsettling questions about the state of free expression in the country. Mr Khosa, who was allegedly abducted by ‘unknown’ masked men — widely believed to be security personnel — had disappeared shortly after releasing a satirical song criticising the government’s economic policies. His return came just a day before the Lahore High Court was set to hear a petition regarding his abduction.

The circumstances of Mr Khosa’s disappearance reflect the antics of a state steeped in paranoia. Mr Khosa’s satire may not be to everyone’s taste, particularly those in power, but his work is a legitimate form of expression in a democratic society. Satire has long been a tool for critiquing the powerful and highlighting societal issues, and it plays a crucial role in fostering public debate. However, in Pakistan, it seems that being critical of how the country is run is increasingly seen as anti-state — a dangerous conflation that threatens the very foundation of democracy. With the security agencies’ tendency to whisk away those they deem troublesome, the practice of enforced disappearances has become entrenched; numerous journalists, activists and dissenters have fallen victim to it. Mr Khosa’s case is just the latest example of how dissent is being silenced through intimidation. If there were serious charges against him, the proper course of action would have been to bring him before a court of law. Instead, he was abducted, his voice stifled and the ‘offensive’ content removed from the public domain. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, therefore the state should be the defender of this right. A nation that suppresses satire and dissent only weakens itself, for it is through open dialogue and critique that societies improve. The government must ensure that all citizens, regardless of their views, can express themselves freely, without fear of retribution.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2024