ISLAMABAD: We live in a society where basic human rights such as the freedom of expression are compromised due to state, non-state and invisible actors.

If all political parties have a common charter of human rights, it will be possible do legislation on such issues as all parties will be pushing the same charter, said former senator Farhatullah Babar on Monday.

Speaking at a consultation on Political Parties’ Manifestos and Fundamental Rights, Mr Babar, who is also a member of the PPP manifesto committee, said media freedom is an illusion which was sustained by showing politicians fighting on camera while any meaningful discussion on state narrative is not allowed.

Giving an example, he said the media refrained from showing footage of Mullah Mansoor Akhtar who was killed in a drone attack in Balochistan, that no meaningful discussions are held on the Guantanamo Bay like prisons in the tribal areas- officially known as internment centres- on missing persons negotiations with Khadim Rizvi leading to surrender by the civilian government, the voice raised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and others.

Says common charter will make legislation easier

He said even discussions on these matters in parliament have been stifled.

“When the reported allotment of 88 acres of land to a former army chief was raised in parliament, an ISPR press release warned against maligning the army and creating misunderstandings between state institutions. The matter has never been discussed in talk shows,” he said.

Human rights activist I.A. Rehman said according to the Constitution, Pakistan is a federal republic and it is the state’s responsibility to provide liberty to everyone.

However, liberty is increasingly being curtailed, he added.

“Once, a person could not be kept under arrest for more than 24 hours and the maximum physical remand was for 14 days. Now, suspects can be detained for over 90 days and that time can also be extended. Suspects are kept at internment centres for years,” he said.

Democracy is also disappearing from political parties, he said.

“We want political parties which discuss their issues with workers and it should be observed if party manifestoes are people oriented, state oriented or interest oriented,” he said.

Educationist and politician Farzana Bari said most political parties have more or less the same manifestos and that none of the parties speak about giving equal rights to non-Muslims even though the Constitution calls for the equality of citizenship.

Journalist Matiullah Jan said none of the parties have made themselves clear in their manifestos about their stance on missing persons, internment centres, military courts and about reports from various commissions which were never made public.

Educationist A.H Nayyar said some unrealistic claims have been made in the manifestoes for which it is unlikely that resources will be allocated.

National Party Senator Mir Kabir Shahi said his party is focusing on human rights and that all decisions in the party are made with consensus.

Former Awami National Party Senator Afrasiab Khattak said Pakistan became a radical state during the Zia era.

The event was organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2018