‘Thieves take away HRCP official’s laptop, other things during burglary’

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned an alleged burglary-style raid on the house of the editor of its ‘State of Human Rights’ report, which was launched on 16 April in Islamabad.

 In a statement issued here Friday, the commission said: “At about 8:45pm last night, two armed men broke into the house of Ms Maryam Hasan, editor of HRCP’s annual report, and took away her laptop, two hard drives and two mobile phones, as well as some jewellery and cash.

“They told Ms Hasan, who lives alone, that they had also come the day before, but not committed burglary since she had not been at home. They questioned Ms Hasan about her professional engagements and intimidated her in a roundabout manner, finally leaving at 10pm.

“HRCP suspects that the two suave raiders were no ordinary thieves and calls on the Government of Punjab to apprehend the culprits and establish their identity. “HRCP will hold the provincial authorities responsible for any attempt by state or non-state actors to harass any persons associated with the commission.”