Twitter had refused to comply with government’s request to block the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief’s Twitter account describing it repugnant to freedom of expression. Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi had critisised state institutions including the government, military and the judiciary on numerous occasions, most notably after a failed round of negotiations between the TLP and the government on Thursday,South Punjab News reported. Federal Minister of Human Rights Dr .Shireen Mazari said on Sunday that the popular micro blogging website Twitter had refused to comply with the government’s request to block Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) central leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s accounts. Mazari said in a tweet that, “Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was asked to do this by the relevant minister on Friday and I am shocked it hasn’t happened as I was present when PTA bureaucracy was finally found available and tasked!”However, after checking with the information minister, Mazari clarified that Twitter had refused to comply with government’s request to block the TLP chief’s Twitter account. The TLP chief claimed in a tweet that was removed from the social media platform that the protesters were threatened with “direct shooting,” and urged the protestors to embrace martyrdom, and not bend to any threats.
Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari via Twitter on Sunday highlighted the dangers of "appeasing non-state actors".The minister shared her thoughts on how "appeasement historically never works", citing the example of the 1938 Munich pact in which Britain and France told Nazi Germany they would not object to its annexation of parts of the former Czechoslovakia."Appeasement to avoid 'bloodshed' in a war-weary Europe led to massive bloodshed and destruction in the form of World War II," Mazari said.
The Munich agreement was one of a number of pacts signed between 1934-39 to appease Nazis. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed on August 23, 1939 ─ a non-aggression agreement between Adolf Hitler's Germany and Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union ─ also contained a secret agreement between the two countries to carve up Poland. It led to the Nazi invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, widely regarded as the start of World War II.
She added: "Appeasement to 'avoid bloodshed' sends a dangerous message to non-state actors and undermines the very concept of democratic, peaceful protest.""The state has to enforce rule of law, Constitution and stand by state institutions, especially when they are targeted."
Mazari said that "despite sceptics and beyond despondency", she trusted Prime Minister Imran Khan to deliver on his commitments to the rule of law, Constitution and defence of state institutions, "as well as to human rights guaranteed in the Constitution ─ not just in the present situation, but also on issues like enforced disappearances."
On Friday, DG Inter Services Public Relations Major General Asim Ghafoor elaborated that the army wanted to peacefully control the prevailing situation in the country. However, he added, that the army would play its constitutional role if requested by the government.
He also urged protesters to refrain from making statements against the country’s legal structure, the armed forces and the Constitution.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also dismissed social media reports of an operation against the protesters. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader said the government is the guarantor of public’s lives and freedom.
The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) called of its countrywide protest sit-ins late Friday night following reaching of an agreement with the federal and Punjab governments.
“I am thankful to all Muslims who have played their part to ensure respect for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” said the TLP chief while urging his followers to disperse peacefully.
The TLP took to the street after the acquittal of Aasia Bibi by the Supreme Court on October 31, paralysing the major cities of the country. In his immediate reaction, Prime Minister Imran Khan had warned the protesters not to incite people to violence or else the state would perform its duty to protect the life and property of its citizens.
The TLP protesters stayed put disregarding the warning and staged new protests after Friday prayers, bringing the life to a standstill.
Tags:
Social Media