The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed its dissatisfaction with caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s recent statements about holding “fair elections” without PTI Chairman Imran Khan and other incarcerated party members. In response, HRCP labeled PM Kakar’s comments as “anti-democratic and ill-judged.”
Imran Khan, who was initially charged with “corrupt practices” in the Toshakhana case, is presently under judicial remand in the cipher case, though his conviction has been suspended. The interim prime minister’s statement came after the Election Commission of Pakistan announced that the country’s elections would take place in January of next year. Following this announcement, major political parties in Pakistan began preparing for the upcoming elections.
During his interview with The Associated Press, PM Kakar also dismissed claims of military interference in the election results, deeming them “absurd.” In its response, the HRCP pointed out that the courts have not yet established guilt in the cases against Imran Khan and his party leaders, emphasizing that PM Kakar’s assertions were unfounded.
The HRCP underscored that it is not the prerogative of the prime minister or the government to unilaterally determine what constitutes a “fair” election. The commission expressed concern over the systematic dismantling of PTI leadership through mass arrests, disassociation from the party, numerous cases lodged against political leaders and workers (including military court proceedings), and restrictions on their freedom of speech and assembly, which it believes has created an uneven playing field.
The HRCP contended that this pattern of pre-election manipulation echoes the behavior witnessed during the 2018 elections. The commission also condemned the treatment of former chief minister and PTI president Parvez Elahi, who has faced multiple arrests in defiance of high court orders.
The HRCP reminded the government that the responsibility for ensuring free and fair elections lies with the Election Commission of Pakistan. Additionally, it urged the caretaker government to refrain from making irresponsible and biased statements about matters beyond its mandate. Instead, the government should focus on creating and maintaining an environment conducive to free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections.