Congressman writes to Blinken about ‘HR abuses’ in Pakistan

WASHINGTON STAFF REPORT

United States Congressman Brad Sherman has written to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, voicing concerns over “democracy, human rights, and rule of law” violations in Pakistan, it emerged on Wednesday.

In a letter dated April 11, Sherman asked Blinken to “guide the United States’ Pakistan policy toward a greater commitment to human rights and to use all US diplomatic channels to urge Pakistani authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and to hold accountable anybody who may be responsible”.

“I urge the authorities to make sure that going forward political figures or citizens who simply want to demonstrate are not subjected to anti-democratic consequences,” he added.

He highlighted several alleged cases of human rights violations in Pakistan, including cases against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and media ban on his speeches, detention of protesters, the alleged torture of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill and journalist Jameel Farooqui, and the recent arrest of PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur.

The letter also mentioned the delay in Punjab and KP elections — terming it “another sign of skirting democratic processes” — as well as Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah’s statement that “either he (Imran) will be eliminated from the political arena or us

Despite challenges, govt committed to steer country out of crisis: PM Shehbaz

DERA GHAZI KHAN

STAFF REPORT

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday visited the free flour distribution centre here and reviewed the overall arrangements.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has increased the price of electricity by 46 paise per unit under the quarterly fuel price adjustment and forward the decision to the federal government for approval.

NEPRA, in its decision, said that the electricity consumers will have to make additional payments in three months. However, this additional charge will not be applied to K Electric.

Due to the increase in the cost of electricity, there will be an additional burden of more than 15 billion 45 crore rupees on the consumers, said sources. They added that the decision has been made after considering the rising cost of fuel and other factors that affect the generation and distribution of electricity in the country.

It is pertinent to mention that if the government approves the decision, the consumers will have to make extra payments on their electricity bills. And, this decision to increase the electricity price has caused concern among the general public, especially at a time when the masses are already facing skyrocketing inflation.

(PML-N)”.

It said: “The United States does not involve itself in Pakistan’s internal governmental matters — I respect its Constitution and its democratic process — but we must not shy away from raising our voice when the human rights of the Pakistani people are at stake.

It recalled Human Rights Watch’s statement asking for “urgent investigations into Mr Gill’s complaints” and questioning sedition charges against him.

Regarding the ban on broadcasting Imran’s speeches, Sherman also recalled Amnesty International’s statement that called it a “disturbing demonstration of targeting critical voices”.

C ONTINUED ON PAGE 03