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Is General
Musharraf A Man Eater?
In childhood we read
the mythical stories of a king who became fond of eating human
beings. Men disappeared in his kingdom one after the other.
Later, citizen of the kingdom found out how king was kidnapping
men and killing and eating them. What they did to the king is
part of story books.
We editorialized the issue of missing men in
Pakistan on June 26th under the heading of
“Criminalization of Pakistan Army.” We discussed this issue in
the light of murdered journalist Hayyatullah Dawar.
Later, BBC first conducted a seminar in
Pakistan and then carried a story on its website about missing
Pakistanis. BBC practically elaborated the history of missing
Pakistanis from the beginning.
Various Pakistani governments have been
victimizing political opponents, but general Musharraf’s
government has given this process new dimensions. Before, people
were kidnapped, tortured and released after teaching them
lesson, but now, in general Musharraf’s regime, people disappear
without a trace. In certain cases like Hayyatullah Dawar, their
families find their dead bodies, but in most cases even their
dead bodies are not found.
High profile politicians like Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto are sent to gallows, or like Javed Hashmi and Yousaf Raza
Gillani are sent to prison without any justification, or like
Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif are sent on exile.
Low profile journalists and political
activists simply disappear without trace. No one knows their
whereabouts. Police not only shows ignorance about their
disappearance they also refuse to cut FIR.
Recently, ISI officials picked up a retired
Brigadier’s grandson and his daughter-in-law in Islamabad. The
poor retired brigadier tried to get help from police, but police
refused to extend any help to brigadier and showed inability to
cut FIR. The police was worried about their own safety.
Today, Asma Jehangir, Chairman, Human Rights
Commission of Pakistan has issued a press release about missing
Sindhi journalist. She fears the journalist has been killed like
Hayyatullah Dawar.
A Pakistani American political activist, Dr.
Safdar Sarki, went to Pakistan early this year. He disappeared
in February without trace. His wife and children are knocking at
US officials’ doors to intervene and save his life.
Where are all these disappeared Pakistanis?
Like the mythical king, has general Musharraf
become a man eater.
The disappearance of journalists and
political activists shows general’s taste. Media is free in
Pakistan, but reporters are not. They are paying with their
lives to maintain this freedom.
How many more journalists and political
activists will disappear before the people will know the real
face of their man eater king?
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