The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) condemns the attack upon The Dawn, a daily newspaper published from Pakistan, by Mr. Salahuddin Haider, the Chief Minister’s advisor on Information in the Sindh Province of Pakistan. It is alleged that on 3 May 2006, Mr. Haider made threatening remarks against the newspaper and its staff following the newspaper’s refusal to publish news and other materials according to whishes of Mr. Haider.
It is ironic that on the very same day, in a public function called for to celebrate Freedom of Press Day in Pakistan, Mr. Haider launched his scathing attack on the newspaper and its staff by stating that the newspaper is not impartial in its reporting. It is also alleged that the outburst by Mr. Haider in public was because the newspaper was reporting cases of gross human rights violations committed by the Sindh Government. When the journalists protested against Mr. Haider and demanded that he withdraw his statement, he not only refused, but also publicly stated that he can withstand any challenge given that his government is in power.
Following a series of incidents which started in 2004, the newspaper was excluded from receiving any government advertisements. Its management and reporters were recently charged with criminal cases. On 24 July 2005, one of its reporters, Mr. Rashid Channa was illegally arrested and detained in an undisclosed place. Mr. Channa was released only after huge pressure was applied.
As the ostracism and threats continue against the newspaper, spearheaded by Mr. Haider, the coalition government in Sindh is facing troubled times due to disputes between coalition partners within the government. It is alleged that the dispute in power sharing between local political party, the Muttahida Quami Movement, to which Mr. Haider belongs and the current Chief Minister is public talk in Sindh today. The Dawn reported these disputes which only increased Mr. Haider’s animosity against the publishing house. Finding the attitude by Mr. Haider intolerable, the management of the publishing house appealed to the Chief Minister. However, the Chief Minister failed to intervene since he was concerned about the support from Mr. Haider and his party to run the government.
It is alleged that Mr. Haider not only threatened the Chief Editor of the daily, but also threatened its reporters and other members of the staff. It is also alleged that Mr. Haider has threatened the publishing group that they must not publish anything further against the interest of himself or his party.
Threat and intimidation is the rule of the day in Pakistan. Governance and administration by the state is by threat and force. The same strategy is adopted by everyone who is in power or in a position to wield authority in Pakistan. This situation has resulted in the continuation of Jirgas, which are infamous for rendering immediate sentences, including rape in public and murder for offences ranging from suspected adultery to blasphemy. The acts of the senior government officer against the newspaper can only be considered as a further manifestation of the same tactic.
The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and All Pakistan Newspapers’ Society (APNS) convened immediate meetings and not only condemned the act of the Government officer, but also demanded that the officer publicly applogise for what he has done. The CPNE has also demanded action against Mr. Haider from the Chief Minister, the Federal Minister and the Prime Minister.
The AHRC views this attack as further evidence to what authority means in Pakistan today. The AHRC in the past has condemned the deteriorating situation of individual freedom in Pakistan. Even though there are various domestic laws in place in Pakistan, such as Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, these are of little effect since the Government officials are themselves responsible for breaching these laws. It is also often the case that there is no criminal or civil action taken against those who violate the law.
The Dawn is the part of a reputed publishing house in Pakistan, with wide readership within the country and outside. However, the fact that a senior government officer did not hesitate to launch his attack on the group suggests the extent to which people in power in Pakistan enjoy impunity.
Pakistan has been elected as a member of the newly constituted United Nations Human Rights Council. Pakistan is to remain a member for two years. Considering that these two years are crucial for the Council in its development of its rules of procedure, the presence of countries like Pakistan which permits such atrocities, must be a matter of immediate concern. Prior to getting elected to the UN Council, Pakistan made a pledge which stated that it is preparing to ratify the International Convention on Civil and Political Right, International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. However, to ensure the effectiveness in ratifying these conventions within the country, Pakistan has a long way to go.
While further news is awaited, the AHRC calls upon concerned civil society organisations and other media houses within and outside Pakistan to request the authorities in Pakistan to take appropriate action so that similar actions from the government or government officers are not repeated and freedom of the press is restored. The AHRC also calls upon the Government of Pakistan to take appropriate action to ensure that freedom of opinion and speech is protected in Pakistan.
