LAHORE [Pakistan] The 2023 annual report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has revealed the dire situation of human rights in Pakistan's Sindh province with a significant increase in street crimes, kidnappings and violations of both civil and fundamental rights.
The HRCP report said the heavy-handed response of state authorities, as well as enforced disappearances and violence targeting vulnerable groups, further underlined the gravity of the situation. It has also highlighted the urgent need for action.
According to the report, violations of civil and fundamental rights continued throughout the year.
The riots on 9 May – which erupted after the arrest of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan – resulted in damage to public and private properties, led to the arrest of over 25 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including former Sindh Governor Imran Ismail. to be done.Strong state intervention.
Enforced disappearances of various individuals, including political activists, nationalists, lawyers and journalists, continued to increase, with at least 175 cases reported in various districts.
Additionally, a security operation near Sakrand resulted in extrajudicial killings and injuries.
Additionally, vulnerable groups in Sindh faced additional challenges, with many Afghan refugees and migrants being arrested and deported following an executive order by the federal caretaker government, the report said.
It also highlighted that the reaction of civil society in Sindh was 'divided', with a significant faction supporting the deportation policy. Additionally, violence against women and children continued, with 546 cases of child abuse recorded in Sindh in 2023.Although the minimum wage for unskilled workers was increased to PKR 32,000, implementation remained inadequate in many workplaces.
The report said attacks on places of worship of religious minorities, particularly the Hindu and Ahmadi communities, as well as incidents of forced conversions were also reported, leading to protests by affected communities against these violations.
The HRCP report said the heavy-handed response of state authorities, as well as enforced disappearances and violence targeting vulnerable groups, further underlined the gravity of the situation. It has also highlighted the urgent need for action.
According to the report, violations of civil and fundamental rights continued throughout the year.
The riots on 9 May – which erupted after the arrest of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan – resulted in damage to public and private properties, led to the arrest of over 25 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including former Sindh Governor Imran Ismail. to be done.Strong state intervention.
Enforced disappearances of various individuals, including political activists, nationalists, lawyers and journalists, continued to increase, with at least 175 cases reported in various districts.
Additionally, a security operation near Sakrand resulted in extrajudicial killings and injuries.
Additionally, vulnerable groups in Sindh faced additional challenges, with many Afghan refugees and migrants being arrested and deported following an executive order by the federal caretaker government, the report said.
It also highlighted that the reaction of civil society in Sindh was 'divided', with a significant faction supporting the deportation policy. Additionally, violence against women and children continued, with 546 cases of child abuse recorded in Sindh in 2023.Although the minimum wage for unskilled workers was increased to PKR 32,000, implementation remained inadequate in many workplaces.
The report said attacks on places of worship of religious minorities, particularly the Hindu and Ahmadi communities, as well as incidents of forced conversions were also reported, leading to protests by affected communities against these violations.
