NP congratulates Mazari and Chatta, demands release of human rights defenders

president of National Party Punjab chapter Ayub Malik has congratulated incarcerated lawyers and human rights defenders

The president of National Party Punjab chapter Ayub Malik has congratulated incarcerated lawyers and human rights defenders Imaan Zainab Mazari Hazir and Hadi Ali Chatta on being awarded the prestigious Ludovic Trarieux International Human Rights Prize for their advocacy work, demanding of the government to release the couple.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Malik observed it is very unfortunate to see that all those Pakistanis who are known for their service to ordinary and marginalized people have been defamed in Pakistan and meted out very humiliating treatment. “In the past the prominent human rights defender late Asma Jahangir was defamed by certain sections of Pakistani society. A sustained campaign of character assassination was also run against Nobel Prize holder Malala Yousufzai. And now we are witnessing a smear campaign against Mazari and her husband which should be strongly condemned.”

He said that Mazari and her husband took up the cases of those poor people who could not afford to pay hefty fees of lawyers, adding they raised voice for the downtrodden masses. “But unfortunately, they were rewarded lengthy jail terms for the courage and sacrifices.”

The president of NP Punjab chapter observed such attitude on the part of society and the state does not auger well for the reputation of the country. “We should honor those Pakistanis who are known internationally for their service that the render to marginalized sections of society but unfortunately we hurl baseless allegations against such personalities.”

Malik observed it is widely believed that cases against Mazari and her husband are concocted and have no legal basis. ” Therefore, it is important that the government release them and save the country from further embarrassment at national and international forums where they are considered courageous individuals who have offered tremendous sacrifices for the rights of ordinary people.”