In Pakistan, criticising the country’s all-powerful military is extremely dangerous as it can invite serious repercussions such as ruthless beating, abduction and even loss of life. Rawalpindi’s extreme intolerance of criticism, even of a constructive nature, is well known and the military takes particular offense when its arrogant ways and abuse of power are exposed without being held accountable. Hence, incidents of people being assaulted and abducted by unidentified individuals who dare to antagonise those in khaki uniforms are not uncommon.
Yet despite a good understanding of the law and a fair idea of who the perpetrators are, victims who criticize the Pakistani military rarely disclose the identities of their assailants or abductors, and very rarely file complaints with the police, who are unable to prevent such incidents or even arrest those committing the offense in broad daylight in the heart of a major city.
Islamabad claims to have highly efficient intelligence and investigative agencies, with excellent professional skills. After every major terrorist attack, these agencies report details of attacks planned behind closed doors in neighbouring countries. Not just India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Directorate, but also the US intelligence agency, … [RAW] Pakistan’s Taliban movement [TTP] Terrorist group.
Yet Pakistan’s top intelligence and investigative agencies have inexplicably made no progress in tracking down those who brutalize and abduct critics of the Pakistan military, even when brave victims have provided ample evidence clearly identifying their abductors and irrefutable evidence exists in the form of video recordings of the incidents. Some cases that prove this observation are as follows:
On September 4, 2010, Umar Cheema, a journalist who had written several articles critical of the Pakistani military, news He was abducted in Islamabad, taken to an undisclosed location in the suburbs, physically abused and warned not to write articles critical of the government. After his release, Cheema reported the incident and further stated publicly: “I have doubts, all journalists have doubts, but all fingers point to the ISI.” [Emphasis added]. and dawn In its editorial of September 7, 2010, “The newspaper’s position is clear: the government and its intelligence agencies will be presumed guilty until they can prove their innocence.” [Emphasis added]There is no doubt as to who was behind the kidnapping. Unfortunately, despite revelations by journalists and personal assurances from the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, that the case would be thoroughly investigated, the case remains unsolved to this day.
On June 5, 2018, Gul Bukhari, a critic of the Pakistani military, was abducted after the car he was travelling in was intercepted by police. “Unknown People” The incident took place on Sherpao Bridge inside the Lahore Garrison, a virtual fortress with heavily controlled entrances and exits. The incident raises two questions: first, how did the kidnappers gain access to the heavily guarded Lahore Garrison in the first place? Second, how did they manage to get past security checks and escape with the abducted female journalist? Although Bukhari was later released by her abductors, the case remains unsolved.
On July 21, 2020, Matiullah Jan, a veteran Pakistani journalist and YouTuber, was kidnapped in broad daylight from a women’s college in Islamabad, shortly after dropping off his wife. CCTV footage from the college showed around a dozen men dressed in the uniforms of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism forces. [ATS] Police stopped Yang’s car and ordered him to get out. When Yang resisted, they manhandled him and forced him into another car before driving off. Police have not been able to identify the kidnappers, at least five of whom were not wearing masks. Even the National Database and Registration Agency has not identified them. [NADRA] They said they were unable to identify the kidnappers, whose faces are clearly visible, and gave the feeble excuse that the images were not clear. The Pakistani army and police have categorically denied any involvement, making the situation even more frightening. Needless to say, the idea that three vehicles carrying men disguised as ATS commandos could be roaming freely around the national capital, kidnapping journalists in broad daylight, is extremely disturbing. In fact, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah said: “What impression will the public have when they see people walking around freely in police uniforms?” This fact supports the concern. Moreover, Yang’s unconditional release after just 12 hours shows that the purpose “To scare others” As stated by the IHC Supreme Court judge:
Despite numerous cases of abduction of people critical of the Pakistan Army, the investigating agencies have not been able to identify a single culprit, which in itself is a clear indication of who the culprits are. The matter has now reached the Islamabad High Court. [IHC] There is the ongoing case of Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad Shah, who was abducted shortly after he criticised the Pakistani military’s harsh response in recently Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. [PoJK] Social media uproar.
Senior IHC judge Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, who heard the case, categorically rejected the allegation that the ISI had no information about Farhad’s abduction and made it clear that the claims made by Pakistan’s military intelligence were untrue. “can’t believe it.” He accordingly summoned the commanders of both the ISI and Military Intelligence. [MI] With other people, “Now, the statement of the ISI sector commander will be recorded in the missing persons case,” he said, adding that “officers will record and document his statement.”
Judge Puin also said: “In general, I.B. [Intelligence Bureau]”The MI and ISI have been accused of missing persons and enforced disappearances, which has affected their reputation and governance and created a negative impression of these institutions in the eyes of the public.” And he asked “What steps has the state taken so far to eliminate institutional conflicts and negative public perceptions of key state institutions and their reputations?” As I expected, tThe Attorney General didn’t answer!
Most importantly, Justice Kayani ruled as follows: “Any missing persons case heard in this court will have its hearing livestreamed.” This would draw public attention to the widespread abductions and enforced disappearances orchestrated by the Pakistani military and act as a deterrent. Yet despite repeated criticism on the issue, Rawalpindi has little respect for its judiciary.
The reason for this shocking indifference is best expressed in the words of a 2018 admission by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, a senior IHC judge: “Today, the judiciary and media are under the control of ‘bandookwalas’. [literal translation ‘gunmen’; here a reference to the army],” and, “The judiciary is not independent.” He further added, “In various cases, the ISI forms self-selected benches to get the desired outcome.” Military intelligence is blatant “The authorities manipulate the judicial process by arbitrarily configuring benches and assigning cases to selected judges.””
Justice Kayani asked the ISI: “Running the country or following the law?” This blatant posturing exposes the ISI’s complete lack of accountability, but the question remains to be seen: how will Rawalpindi respond? Will the Pakistan Army accept this frontal assault on its extra-constitutional powers and supremacy over other state institutions with grace, or will it brazenly fight back as usual? Logically, it would be naive for Rawalpindi to challenge the judiciary, but one should not underestimate the Pakistan Army’s dogged determination to defend its turf at all costs.
