Canadian MPs voice distress over rights violations in Pakistan
Pakistan
They emphasised the importance of the right to peaceful protest
CANADA (Web Desk) - A group of Canadian lawmakers has expressed concern over the violation of human rights in Pakistan.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 16 members of the Canada-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group called for immediate action to address the issue.
The lawmakers highlighted the crackdown by the Pakistan government on leaders and workers of the PTI. They expressed distress over the arrest of more than 7,500 PTI workers, including women, by police.
They emphasised the importance of the right to peaceful protest and strongly condemned all acts of violence and arrests. They also stressed the need for fair trials in civilian courts in Pakistan.
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The letter even drew attention to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which deemed the arrest of PTI chief and former prime minister Imran Khan illegal and unjust.
“Pakistanis, and Pakistanis alone, should be the masters of their own destiny through free and fair elections governed by a robust respect for the rule of law, the constitution and human rights,” said the letter.
Along with highlighting the time-hallowed friendly relations between Canada and Pakistan, the lawmakers urged Prime Minister Trudeau to reaffirm Ottawa's commitment to justice, democracy and human rights, both within Pakistan and globally.
They hoped that the prime minister would play his part as an advocate of democracy and justice, and anticipated a timely and substantive response from him.
