This past Sunday, police officers cracked down violently on a peaceful protest led by civil society, using disproportionate and unjustifiable force. Just days ago, similar scenes unfolded in Lahore, where students protesting an alleged rape were met with brute force. In both cases, the authorities’ response raises serious questions about their respect for citizens’ fundamental rights, particularly the right to peacefully assemble. Instead of managing the situation through careful planning and a commitment to non-violent crowd control, the Karachi police indiscriminately targeted peaceful protesters and created chaos. Policymakers and police leaders must ensure that the right to protest remains intact.

Source: The Patriot October 15, 2024 20:08 UTC