Khaleej Times

Pakistani rights group flays killings of water protesters

ISLAMABAD - The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday condemned the killings of two people by police during a rally against water shortages and demanded the lifting of a ban on public gatherings.

"HRCP condemns the recent, needless loss of life caused during a peaceful protest when no threat was presented to law and order," the independent commission said in a statement.

Two people were killed and several others injured when police opened fire on hundreds of protesters in Dadu district of southern Sindh province on Sunday.

Police also fired teargas shells on supporters of the ethnic-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and a nationalist group Jeay Sindh Mahaz when they tried to block a major highway, police said.

The protesters were blaming the authorities for acute water shortages which have afflicted much of Pakistan amid a severe drought.

Military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, who took power in a coup in October 1999, has banned public rallies and demonstrations.

Police have detained hundreds of protesters since the coup, mostly opposition political party members calling for the return of democracy.

"The closed mind shown by the administration in denying people their right to assembly and protest is taking a progressively more serious toll on society," the HRCP said.

"If this pattern of action remains in place, further damage will be inflicted on society."

Pakistan has been hit by a severe drought which has left the country's major dams virtually empty. Plans to build more dams have been bogged down in inter-provincial bickering.

The MQM represents immigrants from India who have settled mostly in Sindh since the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. - AFP