- According to the report, by 2022, Pakistan has reported physical violence, inhumane treatment and illegal invasion of people’s privacy.
- The restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom in Pakistan and the torture of journalists also came to the fore.
- The report also notes instances of discrimination against women, children and workers in Pakistan.
The United States has expressed serious concerns about human rights “violations” in Pakistan in its annual country reports on human rights practices for 2022 released Monday.
The State Department report points to incidents of extrajudicial killings, arrests and enforced disappearances by government forces in Pakistan.
“There was a lack of government accountability, and abuses, including corruption and misconduct, often went unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity among perpetrators. Authorities rarely investigated or punished government officials for reported human rights violations or corruption,” said the report. in her summary on Pakistan.
The US report covers 198 countries and territories.
The section on Pakistan is divided into seven sections: “respect for the integrity of the person, respect for civil liberties, freedom to participate in the political process, corruption and lack of transparency in government, attitude of the government towards international and non-governmental investigations into alleged violations of human rights, discrimination and social violations and workers’ rights”.
According to the State Department’s assessment, “Pakistan reported physical violence, inhumane treatment and illegal invasion of people’s privacy in 2022”.
The curtailment of freedom of expression and media freedom in Pakistan and the torture of journalists were also discussed.
“The law provides for freedom of expression, including members of the press, but there are constitutional restrictions,” the report said, adding that threats, intimidation, kidnappings, violence and killings led journalists and editors to practice self-censorship and editorial follow guidelines. government guidelines.
“The government’s failure to investigate and prosecute attacks against human rights defenders and peaceful protesters has led to de facto restrictions on freedom of assembly and association. Journalists have been subjected to widespread violence by both state and non-state actors, including political parties,” the section said. about violations of freedom of expression.
The report pointed out that police have primary responsibility for internal security in most of the country, adding that local police are under the jurisdiction of provincial governments.
The report also points to numerous instances of discrimination against women, children and workers in Pakistan.
‘PTI government constitutionally removed’
According to the US report on international human rights, the Pakistani government led by Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has been constitutionally deposed and a coalition government has been formed under Shehbaz Sharif.
On April 10 last year, the National Assembly passed a vote of no confidence against it Imran Khan‘s government by 174 votes, ending the PTI-led government.
After the end of Imran Khan’s government, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan People’s Party elected Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister by majority vote, but Imran Khan first blamed America for overthrowing his government and later said that former army chief general (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa was instrumental in bringing down his government.
On India
The report also addressed human rights violations in India, highlighting that violations continued into 2022 and that freedom of speech and freedom of the press continue to be restricted under the Modi government.
The US government report also highlighted incidents of police brutality and extrajudicial killings under the Modi administration.
Violent acts on religious grounds continued in India last year, the US report went on to say, adding that there have been few investigations or prosecutions of human rights abuses by Indian troops.