LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed shock and grief over the murder of former senator, Habib Jalib Baloch. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the HRCP has termed Jalib’s murder ‘a severe blow to Pakistan’s integrity’ and has apprehended that it will undermine the peaceful and democratic struggle for the rights of all people in the country.
The statement said, “Habib Jalib was a voice of reason, both inside and outside the parliament, for disempowered people, not only in Balochistan but across the country.”
Regardless of one’s assessment of Jalib’s views, the statement added, he was always respected for his forthrightness and the passion with which he honoured his commitment to the people of Balochistan.
It stated that the HRCP, on several occasions, benefited from his views on democracy, autonomy of federating units and the rights of the underprivileged.
“His murder is bound to aggravate the feeling of alienation among the people of Balochistan,” it said.
Whoever is the killer and whatever was their motive, it will be very difficult to persuade the people of Balochistan that he was not killed for fighting for their rights, it added.
The murder would strengthen the hands of those advocating violence and would further obscure the few voices that espouse peaceful change through democratic means, the statement maintained.
The HRCP demanded that the government should not just resort to condemning the incident but a transparent and credible investigation should be undertaken to uncover the murderers.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2010.
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