LAHORE, Sept 23: Terrorism is surely a threat to the very existence of Pakistan and must be collectively challenged by all political elements, sincerely backed by the security forces, if the country is to overcome this ultimate peril.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said here in a statement issued on Tuesday after its general body meeting. The recent attack on Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was one serious example in which many innocent people lost their lives, the statement added.

Welcoming the departure of the military leadership from the presidency and the filling in of parliament and key public offices by elected people, the HRCP Council said the change marked only the first step towards establishing a democratic order in accordance with the wishes of the people. “The concentration of power in the hands of any single individual never bodes well for democracy or a just dispensation,” it added.

The commission called for building and strengthening institutions of governance so that a democratic culture took roots in the country.

It also stressed the need for upholding supremacy of the parliament, independence of judiciary and transforming the Election Commission into an autonomous and multi-member institution.

HRCP also welcomed the Sindh government’s initiative of including landless women among those entitled to receive land grants. It called upon the government to make good its promise of abolishing the death penalty and effectively reviving student and trade unions.

Expressing concern over rising incidence of terrorism and its negative impact on country’s progress, it called upon the government to realise its duty in guaranteeing the citizens’ security, liberty and safety of their property. That, it said, would require a comprehensive strategy which must include sharp intelligence, appropriate use of force, timely political intervention and above all due respect for human rights in the conflict areas.

It urged cautious use of force to counter the wave of violence unleashed by the terrorists, saying yet it must conform to human rights standards in terms of justification and appropriateness. “In particular extrajudicial killings, torture and disproportionate use of force must be avoided at all costs and in all situations,” it said and added that every effort must be made to prevent harm to innocent and unarmed civilians.

HRCP deplored disruption of electricity supply in Swat accompanied by scarcity of water and edibles which had made the life of the people miserable.

It finds the government claims of having saved the lives of the country’s leadership in bad taste. “Such statements only reflect officials’ lack of sensitivity and maturity,” it said.

Critisising the government for not taking any notice of incitement to violence against religious minorities through popular media, it said that not only added to the growing sense of vulnerability among the minorities, but also resulted in several wanton killings.