London, January 15: The Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust and Pakistan’s former Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mr. Ansar Burney has emphasised upon the importance of state institutions and pointed out that when state institutions fail to function in the interests of the people, there is political turmoil often resulting in tensions, turmoil, violence and more bloody revolution.
Ansar Burney said that there are people in the highest positions who are the most corrupt in the country and that in itself is a recipe for disaster. The people cannot tolerate for very long dishonest and corrupt politicians who are in most of the political parties of the country and if this does not stop and people continue to suffer because of unemployment, economic hardship, worst corruption, human and civil rights violations, he is seeing a “bloody revolution in Pakistan”.
The United Nations Expert Advisor on Human Rights, Mr. Ansar Burney, was speaking at the functions of Pakistan Human Rights Forum UK. He said that politicians have been given the opportunity time and again and although it is true to say that the establishment plays its part in destabilising democracy through military dictatorship, the politicians are equally to blame by not serving the people who elect them and filling their own pockets.
To add insult to injury, leaders of both the main political parties, have amassed enormous wealth and live a lifestyle which will be unimaginable by the people of Pakistan. To add insult to injury most of the wealth of these billionaire leaders is outside the country in European capitals or in the USA.
Mr. Ansar Burney, who has been involved in the release of more than Eight Hundred thousand (800,000) illegally and unlawfully detained/confined prisoners from all over the world, during the last 27 years hectic and historical efforts, told the audience that even old people and children are rotting away in the prisons of Pakistan and they are innocent and have never been given a fair trial. Some of them have been in jails for over 35 years without being tried and some of them have been on death row for a similar period and majority of them are innocent.
Mr. Ansar Burney said that even in death cells Pakistan have more than 7300 condemned prisoners facing death sentences and some of them are in the death cells ‘hell within hell’ for more than two decades or more. He said out of 7300 condemned prisoners including women and two children, 60 to 65 percent are definitely innocent.
“Some children are now adults and some adults are now old, yet the government does nothing to provide justice to these unfortunate citizens of Pakistan. There are two standards of justice in Pakistan, one for the poor and another for the rich. The rich, most of the time, get away with corruption and crime and the feudal system have been largely responsible for this deplorable situation.” Mr. Burney added.
Mr. Burney called upon the government and its institutions to put their house in order, otherwise they will face the wrath of the people and will have nowhere to turn or escape to. He condemned the role of the opposition parties, whose leaders were partners in crime with the leadership in the government.
He applauded the dedicated workers in the political parties in government and in the opposition, but went on to say that the government has its own agenda, which on the face of it seems to be opposed by the opposition, but in fact they are working together and that is why there is no progress or reform or justice. All you hear is big statements and no action.
The government seems to be under the influence and control of its foreign dictators, in particular when it comes to Drone attacks or the policy on war on terror. There is no foreign policy and issues of war on terror and defence are either not debated in parliament, or if they are debated, then no further action is taken to set out a policy which is in the interests of Pakistan and independent in nature.
Ansar Burney said that justice should be equal for all and it is most surprising that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated and her husband, President Asif Ali Zardari, claims to know the assassins then why no action has so far been taken against the killers? And such act of him itself is making him suspicious. If he knows who her killers are, then why does he not tell the nation?
He went on to say that the United Nations investigation will come to nothing and this is an exercise which can only benefit or protect Benazir Bhutto’s killers. Mr. Burney said with sorrow and grief that the act of the present government shows that the killers of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto are either sitting inthe Government or are enjoying the patronage of the President, Prime Minister, Minister for Law and Interior Minister.
Mr. Ansar Burney further said that human rights are indivisible and must be respected, irrespective of race, religion, cast or creed. He condemned the blasphemy laws which have no place in a progressive society. He condemned “the use of children for labour and of exploitation of the poorest in the society through the menace of child and bonded labour system. Although there are laws in place, they are never implemented to safeguard or protect the poorest in society”, he said.
Addressing the meeting, Shahid Dastgir Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Human Rights Forum UK, said that there is unrest, turmoil and violence when the state institutions fail to discharge their duties with sincerity and honesty. He said there seems to be insensitivity or inaction by the state institutions in Pakistan to topical issues, such as endemic corruption, violation and abuse of human rights, transparency, accountability and equality of justice, although these issues continue to be debated hotly in the media and by the public.
He said on issues of defence and sensitive national interest issues, the government and opposition should speak with one voice.That is what happens in a mature democracy. People are deeply disappointed and Pakistanis living abroad are very embarrassed at the weakness ofthe government and of the opposition which seems to be far too friendly and ineffective on these sensitive matters.
Addressing the meeting, Atiq Choudhry of British Pakistani Christian Association expressed his concerns about the use of blasphemy laws against minorities including Christians in Pakistan. He said that just on the statement of one person without evidence, a person could be tried and punished to death and this law has been used to harass and persecute the Christians in Pakistan from time to time.
He went on to say that after a meeting with his Excellency Wajid Shamsul Hassan, High Commissioner for Pakistan in the UK an assurance had been given to them that steps will be taken to ensure that such laws are not used to exact revenge, harass or persecute any minority including the Christians.
The meeting was also addressed by Abbas Sardar Ali Khan, Syed Zahid Jeelani, Chairman of non-resident Indians and Vice Chairman of Indo Pakistan Friendship Group, Tariq Khan of Pakistan Crescent Front and local Councillor candidate Manzoor Hussain, Labour candidate in the Abbey Ward, Barking for the local council elections and by Mr. Jamshed Riaz, who informed the meeting that the leadership of allpolitical parties use Pakistanis living abroad for their own political aims and turn their backs on them once they get elected.
The United Nations Expert Advisor on Human Rights and Pakistan’s former Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mr. Ansar Burney, who is already playing a vital role and becoming a model of Peace in Asia, has also appreciated the efforts of Mir Shakil ur Rehman CEO of Jang group and said that efforts of India Times and GEO TV and Jang Group for bringing two neighbouring countries nearer is laudable.
–Agencies