The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has termed a smear campaign on the conventional electronic and social media against noted author and analyst Dr Ayesha Siddiqa a disgraceful spectacle at odds with the values of a democratic and tolerant society. In a statement released to the media on Monday, the Commission said the character assassination that Dr Siddiqa had endured at the hands of the media, especially social media, since her recent participation in a conference in Afghanistan, was outrageous.
"The campaign branding Dr Siddiqa a traitor is a reflection on the media entities involved as well as the general climate in which those professing monopoly over patriotism hasten to brand anyone a traitor who dares to expose shortcomings in Pakistan's policies."Granted that Pakistan is in difficult straits and finding itself challenged on many fronts, but that should not be an invitation to abandon tolerance, decency or deny citizens freedom of expression and thought. Why is it so difficult to imagine that citizens outside the official quarters can also think of and suggest ways towards solving Pakistan's problems?
"We sympathise with Dr Siddiqa and all those who are at the receiving end of this madness, but we are more concerned that the pervasive climate of intolerance and paranoia will stifle the voices of human rights and reason, robbing the nation of valuable advice on making proper choices," added the statement. "The authorities who have been overly concerned of late regarding the use of the cyber space should take notice. Public condemnation of such vilification tactics is also vital to challenge this assault on reason and freedom of expression," it concluded.