Accountability should be across- the-board: Asma

KARACHI: Eminent human rights activist, and Supreme Court Bar Association’s ex-president Asma Jahangir has said that the accountability should be carried out across the board, and that she was not against the accountability but it should not be used for political victimisation.
She was addressing a joint press conference at Karachi Press Club on Saturday. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Chairperson Zehra Yousuf, HRCP General Secretary IA Rehman and Ghazi Salahuddin were also present.
Asma said the people of the country had not elected their rulers for just operating the Metro Bus service in the country and just a bus service did not suffice as total progress and development in the country, therefore, the rulers had to free them from the fences.
She said, “If anyone believes he is at the apex of popularity, should own such popularity with the power of ballot, not by use of force. Martial law would not seek permission from anyone prior to taking over but if it imposed, it would also have to fade away.”
Asma said that she had many differences with the MQM but she was pleading the case of MQM Chief Altaf Hussain on the basis of freedom of expression. She regretted to comment further on the case as she explained that it would be sub-judiced to court.
She said, “On the one hand we talk about riddance of the torture but at the other, we subject the people to torture and want nobody should speak on it. This is double standard.”
She said, “Unfortunately, the military ruled the country for longer time but still nobody stopped the political leaders from manifesting their capabilities. The people of the country have offered countless sacrifices for the democracy in Pakistan.”
She said, “Everyone knows as why fresh advices are being issued from the Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory authority every day. Trends of violence are always harmful for any society.” She said that all were aware of the discrimination with the religious minority in the name of religion but this discrimination was now being enforced on the basis of ethnicity.
Speaking on the occasion, the HRCP Chairperson Zehra Yousuf said that the freedom of expression was on the reverse as the advices being issued to the media and the pattern of news telecast was a proof of ignoring the genuine public issues.