Iftikhar Day

Iftikhar Day, January 31, 2008

Endorsing the call of the Sindh High Court Bar Association and Karachi Bar Association to celebrate the Iftikhar Day on January 31, 2008, activists of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and representatives of several civil society organizations gathered outside the Karachi Press Club, with the portraits of Chief Justice Iftikahr Chaudhry, and expressed solidarity with the lawyers’ movement for the freedom of justice in Pakistan. Participants chanted anti-government slogans and held banners and placards demanding restoration of deposed judges, the constitution and revival of human rights in Pakistan.

Later on a rally of hundreds of lawyers, led by Mr. Munir A. Malik, Mr. Rasheed A. Rizvi and Mr. Iqbal Haider, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, also joined the demonstrators at Karachi Press Club.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Munir A. Malik and Mr. Rasheed Rizvi strongly demanded that:

· Mr. Iftikhar Chaudhry, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of Pakistan and other judges of Supreme Court and high courts should immediately be re-instated.

· Mr. Tariq Mehmood Advocate, Mr. Ali Ahmed Kurd and Mr. Aitazaz Ahsan must be released immediately

· Curb on print and electronic media should be lifted;

· Lawyers, political and human rights activists arrested all over the country must immediately be released unconditionally;

· Freedom of association and political activities should not be curbed

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Open Letter from the Chief Justice of Pakistan

 

 

AN OPEN LETTER TO:

His Excellency
The President of the European Parliament,
Brussels.

His Excellency
The President of France,
Paris.

His Excellency
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,
London.

Her Excellency
Ms. Condaleeza Rice,
Secretary of State,
United States of America,
Washington D.C.

Professor Klaus Schwab,
World Economic Forum,
Geneva.

All through their respective Ambassodors, High Commissioners and representatives.

Excellency,

I am the Chief Justice of Pakistan presently detained in my residence since November 3, 2007 pursuant to some verbal, and unspecified, order passed by General Musharraf.

I have found it necessary to write to you, and others, because during his recent visits to Brussels, Paris, Davos and London General Musharraf has slandered me, and my colleagues, with impunity in press conferences and other addresses and meetings. In addition he has widely distributed, among those whom he has met, a slanderous document (hereinafter the Document) entitled: “PROFILE OF THE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF PAKISTAN”. I might have let this go unresponded but the Document, unfortunately, is such an outrage that, with respect, it is surprising that a person claiming to be head of state should fall to such depths as to circulate such calumny against the Chief Justice of his own country.

HRCP strongly denounces Musharraf’s impudent comments about a senior journalist

PRESS RELEASE – January 29, 2008

Karachi: In a statement issued to the press Mr. Iqbal Haider, Secretary General, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly denounces Musharraf’s impudent comments about a senior journalist.

Mr. Haider said that it’s an outrageous and unpardonable yet another attack on freedom of expression and freedom of press. Parveez Musharraf must offer unconditional apology for having used offensive and abusive language and for inciting the people to beat him up. The accusation of Parveez Musharraf against Mr. Ziauddin that he destroys country’s image outside the country is completely baseless and the undeniable truth is that it is the policies and acts of none other than Parveez Musharraf which are the real cause for causing irreparable harm to our national interest and image of our country.

To accuse a patriot like Ziauddin as an anti-state element is an intolerable attack which further defames our country because this attack is coming from the person who styles himself as the President. In his attempt to abuse and attack Mr. Ziauddin, Mr. Musharraf is only inviting ridicule and condemnation from all democratic, civilized and human right activists not only in Pakistan but also all over the world.

Mr. Haider said that such remarks shows that President Musharraf, after taking unconstitutional and arbitrary actions including the dismissal of 55 senior judges and also resorting to attacks on demonstrations is now attempting to extend his attack also against persons who express their dissent from abroad. The arm of repression that grips the entire democratic and rule of law system within Pakistan is now extending even to people outside.

Mr. Haider said that HRCP reiterates its warnings to the government to restrain from committing such ugly attempts to restrict media freedoms and these attempts can have only the most negative impact, while also proving the government’s claims of guaranteeing free expression are nothing but another among the growing litany of lies routinely told to the people of Pakistan.

HRCP notes that under the present military regime, the right to free expression is coming under severe attack. Despite the claims of leaders regarding media freedoms, a growing number of journalists have faced pressure, often from intelligence agencies or military personnel, in an attempt to coerce them into compliance with the official line. Several are missing, or have been murdered, according to reports from the NWFP. HRCP believes this policy of repression is a part of the dangerous strategy of secrecy, aimed at deluding citizens and international audiences. Silencing independent voices can only add to problems that already exist within the federation.

Iqbal Haider
Secretary General
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

Press Conference – Mr. Justice (R) Nasir Aslam Zahid

Press Conference by Mr. Justice (R) Nasir Aslam Zahid

Monday, January 28, 2008 at 04:00 pm 

Mr. Justice (R) Nasir Aslam Zahid of Legal Relief would address a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 04:00 pm.   Kindly do make it convenient to attend the press conference. 

Iqbal Haider Secretary General

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

HRCP calls for end to media curbs

Lahore, January 23: While welcoming the lifting of the cable-ban on the Geo News the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for the removal of all curbs on the media and an end to the climate of fear in which media persons are working.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is relieved to learn that the cable-ban on the Geo news and sports channels has been lifted. The ban was unjustified and it violated not only the broadcaster’s freedom of expression but also the people’s freedom of information, besides causing hardship to thousands of journalists and workers. It seems their suffering might well have been reduced if President Musharraf’s trip to Brussels had been scheduled earlier.

Now that its rancour against the media appears to be subsiding the government should be able to realize the need for withdrawing all restrictions that prevent the media from serving the people with truthful accounts of events and an atmosphere of free debate. In June last year the government had promised to withdraw the Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance against which media organizations had strongly protected. That pledge remained unredeemed and on November 3 the harsh measure was reintroduced. At the same time the Presses, Newspapers and News Agencies Ordinance (earlier called Press and Publication Ordinance) was amended so as to increase the threat of executive’s punitive action. Subequally came the ordinance on cyber offences which is causing considerable concern to the media people. All these restrictive measures have created a climate of fear for journalists and unless this climate is ended a basic condition of free elections will not be met. Neither the media will be able to grow, nor will the people secure their right to know, if the media remains subject to the whim and caprice of Pemra or, worse, a single individual.

Iqbal Haider,
Secretary – General