Rule by fear

THE abduction of an opposition MNA, as claimed by PTI, is yet another grim episode in Pakistan’s ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances. In a democracy, every citizen — including elected representatives — should feel safe to exercise their rights. Yet, strong-arm tactics are being wielded to silence dissent and instil fear across the political divide. The details of Khawaja Sheraz Mehmood’s alleged abduction are chilling. Masked men, accompanied by police officers, raided his home and held his family members at gunpoint. His face was covered and hands tied in front of his wife. In a particularly disturbing move, the men forced open the children’s door, ensuring they witnessed their father being dragged away. If true, such moves underscore an utter disregard for personal dignity and family sanctity, besides the violation of Mr Mehmood’s rights not only as an MNA, but as a husband and a father.
Just last month, Imran Khan’s focal person, Intezar Panjutha, was similarly ‘abducted’ and later found in a deplorable state. The repetition of these abductions, especially in the wake of the 26th Amendment’s passage, raises questions about the motives behind them. If the government is confident in its mandate, why the need for such heavy-handed methods? The Supreme Court ruling that no individual should be taken from their home without a warrant unless specifically nominated in an FIR is routinely ignored. And the committee to protect parliamentarians, following earlier abductions of PTI lawmakers, appears to have yielded little result. The fear these abductions instil extends far beyond the families involved. When citizens see public figures and their families treated with such disregard, it shatters trust in the state’s ability to uphold the law. These extrajudicial practices replace rule of law with rule by fear. Pakistan cannot afford to let intimidation become an accepted norm. The state must address these allegations; cease these practices; and restore transparency, due process, and respect for every citizen’s rights.
Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2024