Post-May 9 actions: Pakistan rejects charges of human rights abuses

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday turned down the global human rights organisations’ condemnatory outpouring incriminating the government of violations, and asserted in the strongest possible words that the South Asian nation was delivering on its local and international legal rights-related commitments.

The rebuttal from Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch came in response to queries following statements from the rights bodies and US lawmakers asking Pakistan to honour its commitments as thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters were arrested in connection with the May 9 riots.

The PTI claimed that its workers, including women, were being harassed in prisons, but a committee formed to review their conditions denied the allegations. PTI’s women workers themselves also said that they were not harassed whilst behind bars.

The former ruling party has been held responsible by the authorities for planning and abetting the vandalism that took place in protest against PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest.

In her weekly press conference, the FO spokesperson said, “Pakistan is a country that runs in line with the Constitution and law. Human rights of all of the citizens in Pakistan are ensured.”

“Pakistan is complying with all the local laws and international commitments. The allegations against Pakistan for violating human rights are unfounded,” the spokesperson said.

She said that the characters involved in the events of May 9 are being brought to justice according to the law.