THE season of arrests based on dubious charges and abductions of citizens from their homes in Pakistan is clearly in full swing. The latest to be hauled up by the dragnet of the deep state are human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement member and former lawmaker Ali Wazir. Both individuals were booked in two cases after a PTM rally in the outskirts of Islamabad on Friday, where the government claims ‘anti-state’ speeches were made. The way in which Ms Mazari was detained is particularly deplorable, as according to her, the law enforcers stormed her residence in the early hours of Sunday. Meanwhile, this is not the first time Mr Wazir has been detained. Ms Mazari’s counsel says her client only called for the “accountability of institutions” for which she was being labelled a “terrorist”, while Mr Wazir also insists he said “nothing wrong”. Serious charges have been filed against them, including those that come under sedition and terrorism. Meanwhile, PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Asad Umar were also picked up in connection with the cipher probe, though Mr Umar was later released.

The post-May 9 events have sent a chill across the country, with people being picked up on the flimsiest of charges. While incitement to violence cannot be condoned, the state tends to treat even lawful criticism — protected under the right to free speech — as a sign of rebellion, and cracks down with full force. All this was also happening under the PTI and PDM governments. Now the same practice seems to be continuing during the caretaker set-up. While the law and information ministers on Sunday took pains to counter the president’s recent remarks, not a word has been uttered about these arrests or abductions, and no action taken. In fact, the PTM rally was held for the discovery/release of their ‘missing’ members, which indicates that many more have been taken into custody and no one seems to know of their whereabouts. Are the caretakers simply a façade for powerful unelected forces who are determined to wipe out all dissenting voices and differing opinions, in essence destroying whatever exists of the democratic process, and replacing it with a much darker system? If the caretakers cannot put a halt to such arbitrary arrests, how will they ensure free and fair elections?

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2023