News Desk
Karachi (PR) :
The Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights (JAC) has expressed strong agitation over the detention of Mr. Asad Butt, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). Mr. Butt was detained by police on the afternoon of Thursday, July 25, 2024, and taken to Gulberg Police Station in Karachi without an arrest warrant. He was held for several hours before being released.
JAC has condemned the incident as a display of governmental high handedness aimed at intimidating and harassing human rights defenders. According to the JAC, no reason was provided to Mr. Butt for his detention, and he was subjected to humiliation and mental distress during his time in custody.
The JAC is demanding an immediate and transparent investigation into the incident to uncover the reasons behind what they describe as police high handedness. If the detention is found to be without legitimate charges, the JAC insists that the Sindh Government should issue an apology to Mr. Butt and take action against those responsible. The organization has warned that failure to address the issue may lead to further agitation by human rights groups.
The press release was issued on July 26, 2024, in Lahore by the following representatives:
– Irfan Mufti, Convener, Joint Action Committee for People’s Rights (JAC)
– Nighat Said Khan, Women Action Forum – Lahore (WAF)
– Mohammad Tahseen, Convener, Pakistan Civil Society Forum (PCSF)
– Riffat Maqsood, Tameer-e-nou Women Workers Organization
– Mahar Safdar Ali, Bonded Labour Liberation Front Pakistan
– Ume Laila, Home Net Pakistan
– Farooq Tariq