The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has given a strong reaction to caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar‘s statement of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and other arrested leaders of holding transparent elections without a transparent election, calling it undemocratic.
HRCP addressed the caretaker prime minister and said in its statement that the courts are yet to determine the guilt of Imran Khan and his leaders and the claims of Anwar Haq Kakar are undemocratic and weak interpretation.
The statement said that the Prime Minister should know that it will not be his or his government’s unilateral decision on how transparent elections are conducted.
The HRCP said that just as the PTI leadership has been systematically demobilized, forcibly separated from the party in the form of mass arrests and re-arrests, numerous cases against political leaders and activists have taken place. A level playing field is not being met by curfews on the scale and their expression and gathering.
The statement said that this is a matter of concern as it shows a series of pre-election reshuffles that were taking place in 2018 as well.
The Commission also condemned the treatment meted out to former Punjab Chief Minister and PTI President Pervez Elahi, who is being repeatedly arrested despite High Court orders to release him.
The government has been told that the Election Commissioner of Pakistan is responsible for transparent and impartial elections.
The HRCP said that the caretaker government should avoid making irresponsible, partisan statements outside of its mandate, the government should ensure that an environment for free, transparent, certified and inclusive elections is created and maintained. To be kept.
It should be noted that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar said in an interview to the foreign news agency ‘AP’ yesterday that fair elections are possible without Chairman PTI Imran Khan and his leaders.
He said that those thousands of PTI workers who were not involved in illegal activities will run the political process and participate in the elections.
Imran Khan was sent to jail in the Tosha Khana case, but after the suspension of the sentence, he is serving jail time in the cipher case.
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Interview with Dr. Zohra Khan, Spokesperson for the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Khan. The HRCP has recently responded to Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar’s remarks regarding the possibility of conducting transparent elections without the participation of arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders. Can you begin by summarizing the position of the HRCP on this issue?
Dr. Zohra Khan: Thank you for having me. The HRCP is very concerned about the implications of Prime Minister Kakar’s statements. We believe it is fundamentally undemocratic to suggest that elections can be held transparently while key opposition leaders are systematically sidelined through arrests and legal battles. The courts have yet to determine the guilt of Imran Khan and others, and proceeding with such claims undermines the very essence of a fair electoral process.
Editor: You mentioned the systematic demobilization of PTI leadership. Can you elaborate on what you mean by this and why it is problematic for democracy in Pakistan?
Dr. Zohra Khan: Absolutely. The systematic demobilization refers to the manner in which PTI leaders have been arrested, re-arrested, and subjected to an array of legal challenges. This not only weakens the opposition but also creates an environment of fear and suppression that affects political discourse. Democracy thrives on robust competition and the participation of all political factions, and when one party is effectively stifled, the very foundation of democratic processes is at risk.
Editor: In your statement, you urged the Prime Minister to recognize that the decision on how elections are conducted cannot be unilateral. What do you see as the necessary steps for ensuring a transparent electoral process in Pakistan?
Dr. Zohra Khan: The electoral process must be inclusive, and it requires dialogue among all political parties, including those currently out of favor. An independent electoral commission must ensure that all parties have equal opportunity to participate. Additionally, the legal environment should be fair and impartial, allowing all players to contest elections without fear of persecution.
Editor: What impact do you believe these developments will have on Pakistan’s political landscape moving forward?
Dr. Zohra Khan: If the current trajectory continues, we risk deepening divisions within the country and fostering widespread disillusionment with the political system. If citizens perceive that their voices are being silenced and that their right to fair representation is being compromised, it could lead to social unrest and a lack of faith in governmental institutions, which poses a threat to national stability.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for sharing your insights with us today. It will be interesting to see how these issues evolve as Pakistan approaches its next elections.
Dr. Zohra Khan: Thank you for having me. It is crucial that we remain vigilant and advocate for the rights of all citizens to ensure a healthy democracy.
Editor: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Khan. The HRCP has criticized the government’s claims about electoral transparency amid these arrests. Can you explain why it is crucial for all political parties and their leaders to have a fair chance to participate in elections?
Dr. Zohra Khan: Certainly. The integrity of any electoral process relies on a level playing field. If significant opposition figures are excluded or coerced out of the political scene, it distorts public choice and representation. Elections are not merely about mechanics; they are about the legitimacy that comes from inclusive participation. When citizens see that only certain voices are allowed to participate, trust in the democratic system erodes, and political apathy increases, which is detrimental to our democracy as a whole.
Editor: The HRCP has also expressed concerns regarding the treatment of former Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi. How does this reflect broader issues in the political landscape?
Dr. Zohra Khan: Elahi’s situation highlights a troubling pattern of selective enforcement of the law. The repeated arrests despite court orders indicate that legal processes may be subverted for political gain. This not only undermines the rule of law but also raises questions about the government’s commitment to respecting judicial decisions. It is disheartening to see political rivals being treated as criminals without verification of their alleged offenses, thereby suggesting that political rivalries are driving these judicial actions.
Editor: Prime Minister Kakar mentioned that fair elections could still proceed with PTI’s junior members. What is the HRCP’s stance on this perspective?
Dr. Zohra Khan: This notion is deeply flawed. While it is essential for non-affected PTI members to have their say, the real issue lies in the absence of their leadership. Fair elections cannot be defined by merely replacing key leaders with other party members. Authentic representation requires the involvement of those who have been duly chosen by their constituents—not substitutes who are pushed forward because the original leaders have been sidelined. Democracy should not be about token representation but rather genuine participation.
Editor: In light of the HRCP’s position, what steps do you believe need to be taken to ensure that the upcoming elections are transparent and fair?
Dr. Zohra Khan: To ensure fair elections, the first step is to create an environment where all political actors can operate freely without fear of retribution. The caretaker government must commit to impartiality, refraining from making partisan statements or taking actions that benefit one side over another. Furthermore, the Election Commissioner of Pakistan holds significant responsibility in overseeing the electoral process, and it is imperative that this office acts independently to promote transparency and integrity. public awareness and civil society engagement are crucial to holding the government accountable and advocating for a truly democratic process.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Khan, for sharing your valuable insights on this critical issue. We hope to see a balanced political environment leading up to the elections.
Dr. Zohra Khan: Thank you for having me; it’s essential that we keep these conversations ongoing as we strive for a fair democratic process in Pakistan.
