By Syed Atiq ul Hassan, Sydney Australia
Respected Heads of States, Foreign Ministers, UN Secretary-General, and Human Rights Leaders and their Organisations, Members Parliaments of the democratic countries, I need your humble attention on the following to take urgent action:
The people of Pakistan, a nation of 250 million, are facing unparalleled oppression under a regime that has silenced dissent and stripped citizens of their fundamental rights. I urgently appeal to
you to intervene and save the people of Pakistan from the brutality, torture, arrests, and violent suppression they face for exercising their democratic rights to protest.
Following the controversial elections held on February 8, widespread allegations of rigged vote counts have fuelled public outrage. The nation’s streets, roads, and public spaces have turned into battlegrounds as citizens demand justice and accountability.
The people of Pakistan are united in their demands:
- The immediate release of Imran Khan: A widely supported leader and former Prime Minister, Khan has been imprisoned in a death-cell under fabricated charges, including terrorism and treason.
- Recognition of voter mandate: A fair restoration of the mandate given to Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI).
- Recognition of voter mandate: A fair restoration of the mandate given to Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), during the February 8 elections, which was undermined by alleged vote-rigging.
- Release of political workers and activists: Hundreds of peaceful demonstrators, including political workers, have been detained on false charges for exercising their right to protest.
Under the current government, installed by the military establishment, Pakistan has witnessed a severe erosion of human rights and democratic freedoms. Peaceful dissent is being met with heavy-handed repression:
- Blockades and Restrictions: Major highways and roads in key cities have been barricaded with thousands of cargo containers to prevent citizens from gathering for peaceful protests called by Imran Khan and PTI.
- Night Raids and Harassment: Police and intelligence agencies are raiding homes under the cover of darkness, inflicting violence on children, women, and the elderly while forcing families to surrender political activists. Many have been murdered by attackers.
- Internet Blackouts: Internet services have already been disrupted in several cities, with plans to enforce a nationwide shutdown on November 24, the day of the mass protest scheduled in the capital, Islamabad.
The Pakistani diaspora—millions of citizens residing in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, and other countries—are deeply concerned for their families back home. They fear for the safety of their loved ones, who are at the mercy of law enforcement and paramilitary forces notorious for employing inhumane tactics.
If the international community fails to act, there is a grave risk of mass bloodshed on November 24, as citizens march to Islamabad to demand their rights. The streets of the capital and other major cities could witness unprecedented violence, further plunging the nation into chaos.
An Urgent Plea for Action
I humbly call upon the democratic governments of Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other global powers to:
- Condemn the actions of the fraudulent government and military establishment in Pakistan for their undemocratic and inhumane practices.
- Press for immediate reforms to ensure that the rights of the Pakistani people are restored, including the right to free speech, assembly, and a transparent electoral process.
- Intervene diplomatically to prevent further violence, release political prisoners, and hold the regime accountable for its actions.
The situation in Pakistan is dire. Only concerted international pressure can compel the ruling establishment to abandon its oppressive tactics and pave the way for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.
We urge the global community to stand with the people of Pakistan in their fight for justice, democracy, and human rights. Together, we can prevent the loss of innocent lives and uphold the principles of freedom and dignity that all nations hold dear.
Time is of the essence. Act now to save Pakistan.
Writer is a Sydney-based journalist a political analyst and editor, Tribune International, Australia. Recipient of harmony and peace awards. His email address is shassan@tribune-intl.com ).
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