Lahore, May 20, 2013: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm over escalating confrontation and violence in Karachi and appealed for all sides to act in a rational manner and focus on resolving the litany of challenges facing the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission said: “HRCP is appalled by the spike in tensions in Karachi and the murder of a senior politician belonging to Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf. We reiterate the hope that many matters that emerge out of elections would be resolved rationally and in a non-violent manner and without flaring up emotions. HRCP is pained by the murder of Zahra Shahid in Karachi as it has been shocked at the murder of two grandsons of an old HRCP activist, Pir Jan Baloch, who had disappeared in March, and points out without any hesitation that the blame for the killings does not lie with those alone who pulled the trigger but also with all those who introduced and promoted hate, violence and indeed terrorism in politics. The polling process has finally been completed in the NA-250 constituency in Karachi but at what cost? Without being drawn into a discussion on whether or not re-polling should have been conducted in the entire constituency, HRCP wants to state that the manner in which polling was held was neither a credit to democracy, nor to the notion of free elections and it certainly was not an example that one wishes to be repeated. HRCP urges all sides in Karachi to act in a calm and reasonable manner and de-escalate the tensions. We also expect that those responsible for ensuring the security of citizens would wake up to their duty without any further delay. The sooner the poll-related problems are resolved the better, as countless infinitely more serious challenges lie ahead than persisting with election squabbles, however important to a few individuals they may be.”

Zohra Yusuf

Chairperson