Amnesty International warns Pakistan against using emergency rule to crack down on human rights
Amnesty International has warned Pakistani authorities against using the declaration of a state of emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province as a pretext to suppress human rights, silence dissent or concentrate political power.
In a statement, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, expressed serious concerns over reports of arbitrary detentions of key political leaders, including the provincial chief minister, internet disruptions and the deployment of armed forces following the imposition of emergency rule.
He stressed that although governments may introduce exceptional measures during national emergencies under strictly limited circumstances, such measures must not be used to undermine fundamental rights.
“Emergency measures are not a blank cheque to crack down on human rights, silence dissent, or concentrate power,” Pant said.
The statement follows the decision by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on October 11 to approve recommendations by the federal cabinet to impose a state of emergency and governor rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Articles 232 and 234 of Pakistan’s Constitution.
According to the authorities, the decision was prompted by an unprecedented escalation in violent terrorist attacks and an alleged breakdown of constitutional machinery in the province.
Under the emergency declaration, Pakistan’s federal legislature, comprising the National Assembly and Senate, has been granted powers to legislate on matters concerning the province. The federal government is also empowered to suspend certain fundamental rights, including freedoms of assembly, association and expression.
The presidential notification further stated that the powers of the provincial assembly would be exercised by the federal parliament, while the provincial chief minister, ministers, advisers, special assistants and advocate general would cease to hold office.
Separately, the federal government ordered the deployment of Pakistan’s military in the province under Article 245 of the Constitution to assist civilian authorities.
Amnesty International raised concerns that the deployment could further militarise the province and increase the risk of human rights violations.
Referring to Pakistan’s history of alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions during counterterrorism operations, Pant warned that the involvement of armed forces could create conditions for the unlawful use of force.
He urged Pakistani authorities to avoid assigning ordinary policing responsibilities to military personnel and to ensure that all military operations remain subject to accountability and international human rights standards.
The organisation also questioned the necessity and proportionality of the emergency measures, particularly in light of reported political detentions and disruptions to internet services.
Pant called on Pakistan’s federal authorities to establish independent oversight of all actions carried out under the emergency framework.
“At this critical juncture, the federal authorities must ensure independent oversight of all actions taken under the emergency framework, and guarantee that any emergency measure is strictly necessary and proportionate to the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been governed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party since 2013.
The PTI secured a two-thirds majority in the provincial assembly following the 2024 general election, enabling it to form its latest provincial government.
Amnesty International reiterated that Pakistan’s response to security threats must remain consistent with its international human rights obligations, stressing that emergency powers should not be used to justify arbitrary detentions, restrictions on civil liberties or the suppression of political dissent. (Newswire)
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