HRCP Chairman
KARACHI: On Thursday, police conducted a raid on the residence of Asad Iqbal Butt, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in the Federal B Area of Karachi.
The raid was reportedly aimed at preventing Butt’s participation in a rally scheduled for July 28 in Gwadar, which was organized to protest against enforced disappearances. Rights activists and police sources have confirmed the incident.
A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Butt was “detained” during the raid at his home.
The officer indicated that the detention was linked to the upcoming rally organized by the Baloch Yakjehi Committee (BYC). However, Butt was subsequently released later in the day.
According to HRCP member Prof Dr. Tauseef Ahmed, the Gulberg police, accompanied by policewomen, arrived at Butt’s residence around 1:30 pm.
They detained him and transported him to the Gulberg police station. At the station, Butt was questioned about his plans to attend the Baloch conference in Gwadar.
Dr. Tauseef and other rights activists arrived at the police station and worked to secure Butt’s release, which occurred around 4:00 pm. Dr. Tauseef confirmed that Butt was returned home shortly after his release.
In response to Butt’s detention, the HRCP issued a statement demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
The commission condemned the detention as “arbitrary” and suggested it was an intimidation tactic aimed at silencing human rights defenders.
The HRCP emphasized that such actions undermine the efforts of those advocating for human rights.
Additionally, organizers from the BYC reported that several of their workers had been detained by law enforcement agencies across Karachi since Wednesday.
They claimed that three Baloch activists were taken from Lyari for distributing pamphlets and putting up banners for the Gwadar rally. Another activist was reportedly taken from Old Golimar.
The BYC, which plans to gather leaders from various political parties and rights activists to address the issue of enforced disappearances, has expressed concern over the escalating crackdown on their supporters.
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