Amnesty Warns Pakistan’s Emergency Rule Must Not Undermine Human Rights

Amnesty Warns Pakistan’s Emergency Rule Must Not Undermine Human Rights
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Amnesty International has urged Pakistan’s authorities to ensure that emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa does not become a pretext for suppressing dissent or violating human rights, following the suspension of the provincial government and deployment of military forces.

President Asif Ali Zardari approved emergency measures and governor’s rule on October 11, citing escalating militant violence and a breakdown in constitutional governance. The measures effectively transferred provincial powers to federal authorities and prompted concerns over reported detentions of political leaders and internet disruptions.

In an October 12 update, Pakistan’s federal government accused the suspended provincial administration, led by Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), of links to the Pakistani Taliban. PTI denies supporting militancy and has said it will challenge the emergency decree.

Amnesty’s Deputy Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, called for independent oversight and stressed that any emergency restrictions must be necessary, proportionate and consistent with international human rights standards.