Its been 5 years that Amina Masood Janjua, wife of Masood Janjua, who was heading an Information Technology (IT) college prior his arrest and who had never been charged or presented in the court, has been struggling on the roads of Pakistan, in search of her husband. A struggle, that initially started in form of a protest, and which has now become a revolutionary organization namely Defense of Human Rights Pakistan , headed by Amina herself. This organization represents the missing people in Pakistan . Organizing candle lit camps, seminars, painting exhibitions by the children of the missing and collecting funds to facilitate the families of the victims are some of the activities in practice of this organization.
The missing people of Pakistan are the men and women have been abducted, imprisoned and in most cases tortured by our all-powerful intelligence agencies. Over 400 cases have been counted since 2002 by The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and over hundreds are estimated to be missing the phenomenon was termed “a sweep against the Al-Qaeda”. Among the missing are doctors, teachers, businessmen, academics, and housewives. Each one of them, with a name, a family, a home and a life that continues to question these illegal abductions. Whether they are guilty or innocent is hard to find out because not one has appeared before a court.
Over the course of time, the struggle of these people was brought into the limelight. Protestors marched the streets enchanting slogans, questioning the fate of the missing people and having fiery press conferences, accusing the President of selling his soul to“the devil”, the devil known in Pakistan as the United States of America .
My recent conversation with Amina was regarding the current situation of her struggle. Amina, spoke to answer my questions, after calmly assessing them reflecting how her focus has now shifted to proceed with a rather logical approach than the initial emotional outburst. She said that she has sent several letters to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chaudry Iftikhar Ahmed, but received no response. Yet, she continues to be hopeful.
Over the course of time, the struggle of these people was brought into the limelight. Protestors marched the streets enchanting slogans, questioning the fate of the missing people and having fiery press conferences, accusing the President of selling his soul to“the devil”, the devil known in Pakistan as the United States of America .
My recent conversation with Amina was regarding the current situation of her struggle. Amina, spoke to answer my questions, after calmly assessing them reflecting how her focus has now shifted to proceed with a rather logical approach than the initial emotional outburst. She said that she has sent several letters to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chaudry Iftikhar Ahmed, but received no response. Yet, she continues to be hopeful.
“Just yesterday, I met with the Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan and made requests regarding my case. They have been polite and reassuring over the time. Yet there has not been any action up until now. I am hopeful and will continue to write letters and struggle for the cause. Our pleas cannot be ignored and we have been assured that the cases will be taken up and action will be taken. We continue to await Justice.” she said.
In a 5 year long exhausting struggle, she says that hope has been the only strength that she has been able to keep alive in herself and has kept her moving forward. She said, its also the support of the people that gives her the courage to go forward and stand her ground with affirmity.
“There are still considerable amounts of people who continue to support us. It is just that I have now refrained form holding public demonstration. The families of the victims are now exhausted. I do not wish to exhaust their energies; it has been a long struggle. For over four years, we have been holding demonstration all across Pakistan . It has drained them now.”
She now organizes seminars where talks about the issue of the missing victims are highlighted. These seminars include lawyers and prominent human right activists. Her mission is to educate people and to highlight that illegal abductions are unconstitutional. It is a crime punishable by death. Yet the Authorities in Pakistan continue to commit them without fear since there is no vocal boycott.
“Our main aim is the youth, our struggle is for them, and my struggle is for the father of my children.”
Until now, Amina has been able to register over 150 new cases from which over 50 have been traced within months. The authorities identified these individuals and informed that these people are in various jails with in Pakistan . When asked about whereabouts of her husband, she said:
“My husband is in custody of Pakistani agencies in Gujar Khan Area. I have a feeling that most of these people have been kept in detention centers with inPakistan .”
Amina continues to fight a war against the big guns of Pakistan , a fight, that she started as a one women army against the corrupt system of today, which has now turned into a rising and threatening strength to the culprits who are behind these illegal and unjust activities. She has high hopes of her success and says that the International Community has realized the complexity of illegal detention and has initiated its closure of jails like guantanamo , Pakistan needs to play its part as well.
“I feel extremely hopeful. There are many people being released. The news of the detention centers being closed down is a big step forward. I feel that the Pakistani agencies should take note and shut down these illegal operation centers within Pakistan . Now, that the Global Community has stepped forward its time that Pakistani authorities also join in. I am hopeful that many of these detainees will be returned home. With each return, our hopes continue to strengthen.”
Amina represents the families of over 650 missing people of Pakistan . Those, dragged out of their houses and hustled into waiting vans while their families watched terrified. Hundreds have joined ranks among the disappeared victims of Pakistan leaving loved ones helpless. The tearful loved ones have been left gasping for help, fighting fluctuating justice. While we crusade along boycotting American led attacks on the country, who shall we hold accountable for the disappearance of hundreds of Pakistanis?
The truth is, as we stand against the tortures there are many Pakistani versions of Guantanamo that need to be shut down and bring justice to the disappeared victims of Pakistan , whose families have been left in a torturous limbo changing their lives forever.
Source: Asia Despatch
RSS Feed
Please wait...
