LAHORE, March 10: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Monday condemned the kidnapping and torture of Rana Sanaullah.

In a press statement, the HRCP termed the kidnapping an attempt to silence political dissent and sending signals to those opposing the regime. The HRCP, it said, condemned the manhandling of Sanaullah in the strongest terms.

A fact-finding team of the HRCP, led by Hina Jillani, visited Faisalabad on Monday to look into the incident.

“The torture of a key opposition leader, who was apparently punished for voicing his views in parliament regarding the induction of retired armymen into the public sector and his outspoken criticism of military intervention in politics is truly appalling,” it said.

It said the sources had verified the account of torture narrated by Rana Sanaullah. “The case, in fact, follows a distinct pattern of such events during the last three years in which accusations of kidnapping, harassment, physical violence and torture were made by at least 10 other people, mainly politicians and newsmen.”

The latest violence against Sanaullah, who was also subjected to similar treatment in 1999, soon after the military takeover, in a case reported by international watchdog bodies, indicated once more where the real power laid. “It is quite obvious that this has not been handed over to the elected representatives, while the degree of respect for democracy has been exhibited in the action taken against an opposition leader,” it said.

The statement said it was feared that this might not be the last incident. Until a democratic system of governance was restored in its true spirit, more such events would continue taking place. If they were to be prevented, it was vital that an inquiry be ordered and action taken under the law against those responsible for torture of Sanaullah so that a warning was sounded to anyone trying his hands in future, it said.