Press release, November 24
LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has applauded the World Performing Arts Festival (WPAF) organizers for the fact that they continued with the festival despite a series of blasts close to the venue on Saturday.
In a statement on Monday, the Commission said: “The HRCP applauds the WPAF organizers for going ahead with the festival’s concluding ceremony and for not bowing to extremist element’s pressure and threats of sabotage.
Credit is also due to the government for improving security for the last day of the event. The HRCP believes that militants must not be allowed to kill the spirit of the people, which has been very much central to such entertainment and cultural activities, especially in Lahore.
The society and the silent majority must assert itself by coming together and exposing militant and extremist elements as the miniscule minority that they represent. It must also deny them the space they seek to create by resorting to threats, intimidation and other pressure tactics.”
Asma Jahangir
Chairperson
HRCP Blog 