ASIA/PAKISTAN - Civil society: need to reform security forces and cleanse them of extremists

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – In what may be defined as “a dark day for the nation's history,” civil society in Pakistan raises the burning question of the complicity by some of the State apparatus with extremist forces and Taliban groups, who may have made it possible to easily plan the murder of Minister Shahbaz Bhatti.
In a note sent to Fides, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), denounces “the alarming link between Taliban groups, religious extremist groups, police and security agencies.” This connection ensures that “no impartial investigation will see the light.” Police reform came to a halt at the time of military dictatorship, but “not even the civilian governments have resumed reforms: this is because the Government has no control over the army and security agencies. This lack of control allowed the religious militants to infiltrate them.”
The AHRC calls for the Government to stop those who preach the murder of opponents to the blasphemy law. It also calls for an immediate investigation into Bhatti's murder, through an independent Commission, and demands the establishment of a High Commission to review the workings of the security forces, and to cleanse them of all extremist elements.
The Masihi Foundation, which takes care of Asia Bibi's legal aid, expresses great concern to Fides: “The situation is out of control. Extremist forces lurk in the bureaucracy. Radical leaders stir up crowds undisturbed and terrorists kill with ease. Whoever speaks against the blasphemy law becomes a legitimate target. Effort is needed by all liberal forces and from the international community. Whoever speaks of 'undue interference', should remember that today it is the extremists who interfere with the rights and faith of thousands of Pakistani citizens.”
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that three days ago Naeem Sabir was also killed, Regional Coordinator of the NGO in the district of Khuzdarm, denouncing to Fides that “radical groups want to revoke the rights of non-Muslim citizens”.
The NGOs stressed that they will not be intimidated: Human Rights Focus of Pakistan (HRFP) announces “seven days of mourning,” saying that “this tragic event will give us the strength for a more intense campaign against the blasphemy law,” while Nazir Bhatti, leader of the Pakistan Christian Congress, who defines the Minister as a “martyr”, says that “the memory of Bhatti will be a departure point to relaunch the campaign for the abolition of the law.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/3/2011)