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Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Wednesday criticised the government for not taking 'comprehensive measures' to root out terrorism and urged President Pervez Musharraf not to resort to the 'notorious process' of getting elected through a referendum.
HRCP, a non-governmental organisation founded among others by noted Pakistani human rights activist Asma Jehangir, was deeply critical of the rights record of the Pakistan government in its annual report.
Referring to steps being taken by Musharraf to 'end religious extremism', HRCP Chairman Afrasiab Khatak said, "We have not seen any comprehensive measure to root out extremism. It cannot be removed by administrative moves. They (the government) are not destroying structures created by former military ruler Zia (ul Haq) to promote extremism."
About the political atmosphere in Pakistan, Jehangir, director and former HRCP chairperson, said, "Political rights have deteriorated in Pakistan."
She also said that only 'certain parties' continued to get the patronage of the military government.
Referring to Musharraf's reported move to get elected through referendum, she said that referendum cannot be a substitute for elections.
"We hope that this notorious process is not repeated," she said.
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