Sunday, May 22, 2022

PAKISTAN

Shireen Mazari’s arrest


Editorial 
DAWN
Published May 22, 2022 -

AS if the political climate was not toxic enough, Punjab’s anti-corruption department took former human rights minister Shireen Mazari into custody in Islamabad yesterday. The incident ignited a firestorm of denunciation across the board.

Soon after her arrest, her daughter Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir alleged that she had been “beaten and taken away by male police officers”. While admittedly the entire episode was not captured on camera, a video clip that emerged later showed female police officers pulling Ms Mazari by the arm out of her car after she refused to step out. That said, the timing makes it seem like a clear case of political victimisation.

The former minister has ostensibly been arrested on the basis of an FIR in which she has been accused of encroaching on a piece of land in Rajanpur district, but the timing of the arrest is suspect. Ms Mazari has of late been harshly critical of the ruling coalition as well as the senior military leadership for its declared ‘neutrality’ in the events of the last few months that led to the ouster of the PTI government.

Read: Everyone knows 'neutrals' were not actually neutral during 'regime change conspiracy': Mazari

Given that Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz ordered her immediate release, at the time of writing it seemed highly likely she would be set free within a few hours. Nevertheless, there must be an investigation as to why Ms Mazari was taken into custody in the first place.

What happened yesterday came across as a regrettable attempt to intimidate a prominent opposition leader into silence. The PML-N-led coalition should not be using the same tactics against the PTI that the latter had employed while in government, and for which it was justifiably criticised.

And if there are other reasons behind Ms Mazari’s arrest rather than the somewhat prosaic contents of the aforementioned FIR, then she should be formally informed of what law she has violated, if any, and given full opportunity to defend herself. Abuse of power can never be condoned, regardless of who it targets or from where it emanates.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2022

'Smacks of political victimisation': Condemnations pour in from all quarters on Shireen Mazari's arrest

 Published May 21, 2022 -  Updated a day ago
A file photo of former human rights minister Dr Shireen Mazari. — APP/File

After former human rights minister and PTI leader Shireen Mazari was 

arrested from outside her Islamabad residence on Saturday, almost unanimous condemnation poured in, with journalists, analysts and politicians from 

both the government and opposition's side criticising the development.

In footage of her arrest, which was aired by broadcasters, Mazari could be seen being dragged out of a car by female police personnel from outside her residence while she could be heard protesting: "No. Don't touch me."

PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said Mazari's arrest was "deplorable and the worst form of political oppression". "Things never seem to change in the land of the pure," he rued.

PPP MNA Nafisa Shah said it was "wrong to arrest" Mazari who had no allegations against her.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the incident "smacks of political victimisation".

From the media fraternity, journalist Mazhar Abbas tweeted, "Shireen Mazari, the first political prisoner under the present government. Political leaders and governments not ready to learn lesson from the past. I don't agree with all her views but strongly condemned her arrest and humiliation."

Also condemning the detention was journalist Asma Shirazi, who said it was "simply harassment".

Senior journalist Hamid Mir said the PML-N government should clarify its position.

Dawn News anchor Absa Komal said Mazari's arrest in a "50 year old dubious property case is condemnable". "Evident from her Twitter timeline that she was stepping on some sacred toes," she added.

Journalist Saleem Safi demanded that no injustice should be committed with Mazari and condemned her arrest.

Journalist Ahmed Quraishi said Mazari had "tried to smear me, incite extremists in her political party by linking me to a fake conspiracy to topple ex-prime minister Imran Khan and provoke violence against me", yet he wished her well and hoped that her case would be resolved amicably.

The journalist and Mazari had recently been involved in a spat on Twitter revolving around allegations by the former that former prime minister Imran Khan had tried to establish formal relations with Israel through use of his personal and family contacts.

"Deplorable. This unlawful conduct is blatant harassment and a clear violation of fundamental rights," said Reema Omer, Legal adviser for the International Commission of Jurists.

Barrister Asad Rahim Khan, meanwhile, noted that Mazari was arrested "in a case that was investigated all of half a century later – but just 48 hours after the PTI govt fell".

Researcher Ammar Rashid said he had many political differences with Mazari, but, it was "clear" that her arrest was related to her recent criticism of the establishment.

Michael Kugelman, a scholar of South Asian affairs at the Wilson Centre, Washington, pointed out that the arrest would "further weaken an already beleaguered new government by giving Imran Khan and his party another rallying cry".

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