{"id":9916,"date":"2025-06-24T11:30:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T11:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=9916"},"modified":"2025-06-24T11:30:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T11:30:50","slug":"hrcp-flags-alarming-trends-in-law-and-order-civil-liberties-in-sindh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/hrcp-flags-alarming-trends-in-law-and-order-civil-liberties-in-sindh\/","title":{"rendered":"HRCP flags alarming trends in law and order, civil liberties in Sindh"},"content":{"rendered":"

Press release<\/p>\n

HRCP flags alarming trends in law and order, civil liberties in Sindh<\/strong><\/p>\n

Karachi, 24 June 2025<\/em>. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)\u2019s annual report, State of Human Rights in 2024, draws attention to significant democratic backsliding, marked by serious concerns over the legitimacy of the general elections, sharp restrictions on dissent, and escalating militancy. At a press conference held earlier today, HRCP office bearers emphasized deteriorating law and order, extrajudicial killings and gender-based violence in the province.<\/p>\n

The custodial murder of Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar in Mirpurkhas, following blasphemy charges, marks a serious escalation in the misuse of the blasphemy laws and impunity for extrajudicial killings. The violent and disproportionate response of law enforcement personnel to the peaceful Rawadari March, held by civil society in Karachi to protest Kunbhar\u2019s death, underscores the shrinking space for dissent and civic expression.<\/p>\n

To HRCP\u2019s consternation, the enforced disappearance of political workers and rights activists in Sindh continued unabated in 2024. Nationalist activist Hidayat Lohar was killed near his home in Qambar Shahdadkot district, after being previously detained and later released by law enforcement. HRCP\u2019s chairperson was also held arbitrarily by the police for questioning in connection with his work as a human rights defender.<\/p>\n

The report also notes that the general elections in Sindh were marred by allegations of political manipulation. Numerous election petitions were filed in the Sindh High Court before and after the elections, primarily by PTI candidates contesting as independents. However, the election of Anthony Naveed, a minority representative, as deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly, offered a rare moment of progress.<\/p>\n

Despite government efforts, the crime rate in Sindh rose in 2024 compared to 2023, according to data from the Sindh police. Instances of militancy continued, with one attack\u2014claimed by the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army\u2014in Karachi killing two Chinese nationals and a Pakistani citizen.<\/p>\n

Continued reports of violence and discrimination against vulnerable groups surfaced through the year. Women remained at risk of harmful customary practices, with at least 134 honour killings reported. In one instance, a group of over 100 men attacked transgender individuals in Karachi, threatening them with physical and sexual violence. The situation of refugees also remained cause for concern, with the Sindh Assembly unanimously passing a motion calling for the expulsion of all \u2018illegal immigrants\u2019 from the province, while Sindh\u2019s civil society remained divided on the deportation of Afghan refugees.<\/p>\n

Mass protests erupted over the federal government\u2019s plan to construct six canals, largely benefitting Punjab, without consultation with Sindh through the Council of Common Interests. This decision intensified inter-provincial grievances over water distribution from the Indus River, threatening Sindh\u2019s ecological and agricultural sustainability. The province also experienced record-breaking summer temperatures and monsoon floods, damaging infrastructure and displacing communities in multiple districts.<\/p>\n

Asad Iqbal Butt
\nChairperson<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>