Lives of those who challenge Pakistan state narrative are at risk. Dr Shabir Choudhry.

 Lives of those who challenge Pakistan state narrative are at risk.

Dr Shabir Choudhry.  12 February 2022

 

Human rights activists and dissidents who live in Europe and dare to challenge policies of the Pakistani state are in danger. They must not assume that because they live thousands of miles away from Pakistan, therefore, they are safe.

  

Pakistani ruling elite, their foot soldiers and proxy warriors intimidate, harass and attack those who oppose and defy the state policies of Pakistan. This happens in nearly all European countries where dissidents with conscience reside and expose wrongdoings of those who promote extremism, violence, religious hatred and intolerance.

  

This victimisation can be in different shapes and forms. In extreme cases, dissidents could be killed, and it will appear to be an accident or a suicide. Easy way to frighten and intimidate them is by arranging a burglary in their houses or shops. In some cases, they burn their business. In addition to that, a systematic and nefarious propaganda campaign is unleashed on social media and in society to alienate these rebels or human rights activists.

  

In some cases, these human rights activists are denied passports, and other relevant papers which adds to their problems. Their family members and friends are cautioned to maintain their distance if they want to avoid problems and social stigma.

  

Tentacles of those who want to silence all voices of dissent are spread over many continents. One such loud voice of Karima Baloch was silenced in Toronto forever; and many were intimidated and silenced for some time.

  

Another strong Baloch voice was silenced in Sweden, and that had a ripple effect on many other dissenters. The most recent, and much publicised incident was that of Ahmed Waqass Goraya, who lived in Holland, and systematically exposed wrong doings of the Pakistani establishment.

  

A detailed investigation led by Metropolitan Police Counter Terror Command resulted in arrest and subsequent trial of Muhammad Gohir Khan, who lived in East London. 

A British court in London heard that a ‘hitman’ of Pakistani origin was hired to kill Ahmed Waqass Goraya. The ‘hitman’, Muhammad Gohir Khan, was offered £100,000 to assassinate Ahmed Waqass Goraya in Rotterdam, Holland.

A jury in London Crown Court, after hearing the proceedings of the case, unanimously found Muhammad Gohir Khan guilty of conspiring to kill the Pakistani dissident Mr Goraya.

  

Muhammad Gohir Khan exchanged around 2,000 WhatsApp messages with his ‘handler’, who was known as ‘Mudz’. In these messages they ‘discussed and agreed to the contract killing of a Rotterdam based Pakistani blogger and activist’. He confirmed that he joined the ‘project’ because of the financial gains, otherwise he did not know who Ahmed Waqass Goraya was; and what was his crime to deserve assassination.

  

In the messages Muhammad Gohir Khan asked his ‘handler’ or the middleman to provide him with a ‘tool’ (gun) that he could accomplish the task of killing

Mr Goraya. In reply, Mudz or Muzzammil wrote: “It’s not a SHARK… A little fish… Little knife / hook / worm with a string is enough.”

  

What this meant was that a knife should be sufficient to complete the ‘project’. After the completion of the project, Muzamil who was also known as ‘Ali’, ‘Zed’ and ‘Papa’ was to receive 20% of the total bounty. It means £80,000 for the ‘hitman’ and £20,000 for his ‘handler’, Muzzamil.

  

To simplify this task, in my opinion, those who were behind this might have allocated £200,000 for this project. The boss gave go ahead to Mr A. Mr A took his share, which could be up to £50,000. He delegated this task to Mr B, who took his share and delegated it to Mr C. He, after taking his share, delegated it to Muzzamil or Mudz.

  

Even if the target was successfully eliminated, still there was no way anyone could reach back to the Boss. It means, the man behind this may never be revealed and punished.

 

Just over a year ago, I had a phone call from one Pakistani. After some salutations, he said, I know you are an ardent supporter of an independent Jammu and Kashmir, and in that context, you criticise Pakistani policies. In my opinion, you are not anti-Pakistan or a traitor, but sadly you are in touch with those who are anti Pakistan and agents of enemies of Pakistan. If you are a well-wisher of Pakistan, and don’t want to be listed among those elements then help us to trace these people and teach them a lesson.

 I told him that I do not interact with anyone who is anti-Pakistan or a traitor. It is sad that those who criticise Pakistani policies and demand fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan are projected as anti-Pakistan and traitors.

 

He ignored my comments and demanded to have details of a man called Rashid Murad, who runs a TV called RMTV, and broadcasts a programme called Kharian Kharian.

 

I told him I have never met him and have no details about him. Also, I said, even if I had his address or other details, I would not provide it to anyone. It is not my role, and I do not betray my friends. He interrogated me for some time, but I did not entertain him.

 

Many people were assigned this task of gathering information about critics of Pakistan. I cautioned some friends to be cautious. It is sad that some people changed their stance to suit the needs of Islamabad, hence, now they are in their good books.

 

My message to all true nationalists of Jammu and Kashmir is that be on your guards, enemies of our struggle can harm you and your business.

 

According to the BBC the Pakistani officials refused to comment on this case. I don’t blame them. What can they say about this shameful incident? Perhaps the wrong person was chosen for the job, and Mr Goraya was lucky.

Government officials claim there is no clampdown on freedom of speech in Pakistan and the army denies interfering in politics, but human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about a series of violent attacks in Pakistan on journalists and activists who accuse the military of manipulating the country’s electoral system. The threat to Pakistani dissidents extends to those outside the country too, BBC commented.

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistani academic and a critic of Pakistan says that the British Police told her that they had “credible information” that there was threat to her life if she was to travel back to Pakistan. She told the BBC: “there was a contract on my head given to some Afghan warlords to be eliminated on return to Pakistan… if the temperature was raised I could be targeted in the UK as well.”

Both Ahmed Waqass Goraya and Dr Ayesha Siddiqa believe the Pakistani secret agencies were behind this, as there was ‘no one else to suspect.’

Like Mr Goraya, Dr Siddiqa told the BBC she believed the Pakistani intelligence services were behind the threat, “I have no one else to suspect.”

Writer is President Foreign Affairs Committee, United Kashmir People’s National Party, author of many books, political analyst and human rights activist.  

Email: Drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com