LAHORE, Jan 11: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairperson Asma Jehangir has said the state with all its might have declared a war upon the people in “a game of high stakes”.

Talking to reporters on the premises of the Lahore High Court Bar Association here on Friday, she said unarmed people did not know whether to fight the suicide bombers, the dictator or the establishment. “We do not even know what relationship all these people have among themselves,” she added.

She said the assassination of Benazir Bhutto had thrown up several questions. “If the government knew about the threat (to her life), what did it do? They have allowed it to happen,” she said.

She said the Jihadis could not have carried out the suicide bombing outside the Lahore High Court on Thursday because everyone knew who the lawyers were against. She added even if one assumed Jihadis carried out the attack, who could be blamed to nurture them and groups like the Al-Badr.

She said none of the religious outfits could be blamed for the attack either because lawyers represented a multi-religious community. She added the government was to be blamed for the suicide attack because it was its responsibility to maintain law and order and protect the lives of the citizens.

To a question on investigation, she said: “There can be no investigation when people suspected the government. People have this (the suspicion) in their hearts. In such a situation, who would investigate and reveal the facts?” she said.

She said the leaders of the political parties should put their heads together and come out with a joint strategy to take the country forward. She said Musharraf should be tried under high treason for pushing the country down the precipice of disaster and killing Nawab Akbar Bugti.