Human rights: ‘Threats to Jahangir, Haqqani need to be investigated’

The threats to former ambassador Hussain Haqqani and his counsel and prominent human rights activist Asma Jahangir need to be investigated. This was said by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Khokhar in a letter sent to interior minister, Punjab chief minister and police chief and IGP Islamabad, said a press release issued by the Human Rights Ministry.

The former Supreme Court Bar Association President has reportedly been threatened along with her client Haqqani.

Khokhar asked the police to provide “foolproof” security to Asma Jahangir and her family members.

The adviser considers these threats as violation of fundamental rights like the right to security of person (Article-9), the right to fair trial (Article 10-A), freedom of trade, business or profession (Article 18) and freedom of speech (Article-19), the press release stated.

It is really tragic because such incidents are tarnishing the image of Pakistan and spreading a sense of insecurity and uncertainty in the society, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2011.