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Lahore Federal Investigation Agency (LFIA) has
stopped Jaleela Haider President Women Democratic Forum Baluchistan and human rights activist from going abroad at Lahore airport due to her name in the watch list. Jaleela Haider was leaving for London when she was reportedly taken into custody at Lahore airport for 9 hours and her passport was taken by the FIA. Official say that she was stopped at the airport due to allegations of her involvement in the anti-state activities. Later, after her statement was recorded by the FIA she was allowed to go back home.
Pakistani authorities refused to let a top
human rights lawyer leave the country, citing her "anti-state activities",
she told AFP on Monday, in what appeared to be the latest example of an
ongoing rights crackdown.
Jalila Haider, who last year featured on a BBC
list of 100 inspiring and influential women for her work defending women's
rights in Pakistan was briefly detained by immigration officials in Lahore
as she tried to fly to Britain to attend a workshop on women's issues.
They released her after several hours, she
told AFP, but barred her from leaving the country, telling her that her name
was on a no-fly list.
"One of the immigration officials told me
that my name was placed on the ECL (Exit Control List) as I am involved in anti-state activities. I have no idea what anti-state activities he was referring to," Haider told AFP.
"I address the issues related to women,
minorities, enforced disappearances and problems Balochistan is facing
today," the 32-year-old said, adding that authorities confiscated her
passport and national identification card.
Pakistan has a history of enforced
disappearances over the past decade -- mainly confined to conflict zones near
the Afghanistan border or to restive southwestern Balochistan province, where
Haider lives and works.
The military routinely denies being involved,
and criticism of the powerful security forces, including over such
disappearances are largely seen as a "red line" in the country.
Pakistan's interior ministry did not
immediately respond to requests for comment by AFP.
The incident fuelled fears around an ongoing
crackdown on rights and freedom of speech in Pakistan.
"Yet another #humanrightsdefender placed
on Pakistan's *mysterious* no-fly list," tweeted Rabia Mehmood, a
Pakistan researcher for Amnesty International.
‘Advjalila is a fierce defender of the rights
of the marginalized, her name must be immediately removed from the Exit
Control List. #istandwithjalila".
Haider's lawyer Asad Jamal, who said he was
not allowed to meet her while she was being detained, called it "an act
of harassment".
In addition to her work on women's rights,
Haider is a member of Pakistan's persecuted Hazara community, who are often
targeted by sectarian militants in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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Israeli settlers have once again attacked religious minorities in the region, this time targeting a church in East Jerusalem.
According to reports, the settlers assaulted clerics and worshippers at the Church of the Sepulchre of Saint Charbel, causing damage to the property and injuring several people. This kind of behavior is not only unacceptable but also undermines efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. Attacks on religious minorities are a direct attack on religious freedom and must be condemned by all. The Israeli authorities must take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice and hold them accountable for their actions. It is also important to ensure the safety and protection of religious minorities and their places of worship, as guaranteed by international law. this incident is a sad reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the need for a comprehensive and just solution. It is up to all of us to work together to promote understanding, tolerance, and respect for different beliefs and cultures, and to build a brighter and more peaceful future for all.
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