The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that four young men
have been illegally arrested, detained and tortured by Inter-Services
Intelligence (ISI) officials because of a minor personal dispute. The first
victim was allegedly taken hostage by an ISI colonel so that his uncle would
pay a debt, and the other three were friends of the victim who inquired
about him at the local police station. Three of the young men are still
being held incommunicado and according to the fourth, who was released after
six days, they have all been badly tortured by officials in a secluded
place. The released victim is in ill health and has been warned against
publicising the details of his friends’ capture by the perpetrators.
Although civilians in Muzaffarabad have held protest rallies, no action has
yet been taken by the authorities.*
*CASE DETAILS: *
According to the information we have received, Mr. Pervez Butt, a resident
of Center Plate in Muzaffarabad, borrowed money with a Pathun (an ethnic
group) money-lending group and was unable to pay the sum back. One of the
money lenders is related to an ISI Lieutenant Colonel in Peshawar, Lt Cl
Hamza, who allegedly threatened Pervez a number of times about the money.
On 21 November Lt Col Hamza went to Pervez’s residence with ten people, most
of them from the Frontier Constabulary of Peshawar. Pervez was not in his
residence at that time, and the Lt Col took his nephew, Mr. Faizan Butt as a
hostage, reportedly handing him over to the Saddar Police Station in
Muzaffarabad. That evening three of Faizan’s friends – Ali Rathore, Raja
Qayyum and Shafiq Butt – went to the police station to ask for his release
and were allegedly taken away with Faizan by the colonel.
Two days after the men’s abduction, Butt’s family received a call from Lt.
Colonel Hamza, telling them that the four young men would only be released
from his custody in exchange for Pervez, who is in hiding. One of the
captives, Ali Rathore, was left near Butt’s house on November 27 with
serious torture injuries, and was declared by hospital doctors to be in a
state of shock. The next day Rathore’s family received a call from the Lt
Col, who told them that the remaining prisoners would be tortured more
harshly if details of the arrest were given to the public. The whereabouts
and condition of the three men remain unknown.
Civilian representatives in Muzaffarabad and members of the Kashmir National
Party have written several letters to the prime minister of Pakistan-held
Kashmir, as well as to other high officials of the Pakistani and Kashmir
governments, yet no action has been taken.
It should be noted that Lt Col Hamza has no professional connection to
Kashmir, which the government of Pakistan has declared to be an independent
state, with its own prime minister and government. The case demonstrates not
only the impunity available to those who work within military intelligence
and the complicity of other law enforcers in it, but also exposes the limit
to Kashmir officials’ authority over the ISI, which frequently conducts
operations in the area under the banner of national security.
*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:*
Though Azad Jammu and Kashmir (generally known as Pakistani-held Kashmir),
is officially an independent state, it remains ostensibly under the
Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs. Because of insurgent
activity between it and Indian-held Kashmir, Pakistani spy agencies operate
heavily in the area and Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir,
hosts at least five ISI centres alongside the other intelligence agencies of
the state, most notably the Military Intelligence (MI), which are known to
consistently operate above the rule of law.
*SUGGESTED ACTION:
*
Please write letters to the authorities urging them to recover the three
victims from the illegal captivity of ISI, and take legal action immediately
against the responsible officials.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to UN Special Rapporteur on the
question of torture and to the Working Group on arbitrary detention, calling
for their intervention into this case.
To support this appeal please click here:
*SAMPLE LETTER:*
Dear __________,
*PAKISTAN: An army colonel has had four men abducted and tortured due to a
personal dispute, in Pakistan-held Kashmir*
*Name of victims:*
Mr. Faizan Butt, son of Ayaz Butt; born in 1990; first year student;
resident of Centre Plate, Muazffarabad, Pakistan-Kashmir.
Mr. Raja Shahid Qayyum, son of Raja Qayuum; a fourth year student; born in
1984; resident of Centre Plate, Muzaffarabd, Pakistan-Kashmir.
Mr. Ali Rathor, son of Pervaiz Rathor; born in 1986; student; resident of
Madina Market, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-Kashmir.
Mr. Shafiq Butt, son of Fateh Butt; born in 1980; resident of Centre Plate,
Muazffarabad, Pakistan-Kashmir.
*Name of alleged perpetrator:
*Lieutenant Colonel Hamza of ISI, Muzaffarabad, Kashmir
Officers of the Frontier Constabulary in Peshawar
*Date of incident*: 21 November 2009
*Place of incident:* Centre Plate, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-Kashmir
I am writing to voice my deepest concern regarding the illegal arrest and
torture of four young men from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-held Kashmir, by a
high official of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
I am shocked to learn that a petty dispute over a loan has resulted in the
illegal arrest of the four men by a Lieutenant Colonel Hamza, and their
reported incommunicado detention since November 21, 2009. According to one
of the victims, who was released, the four men were badly tortured in a bid
to force the surrender of the uncle of one victim, who owed money to a
relation of the perpetrating officer. The family of the intial victim has
received a phone call from the Lt Cl declaring the men hostages.
One of the prisoners, Mr. Ali Rathore, was released on 27 November and
reports severe abuse by ISI officials; he has since been declared by the
doctors to be in shock. The Lt Colonel has reportedly warned him and his
family against revealing further details.
I am deeply troubled to hear that in the presence of a police system and
system of law, officials of an intelligence agency are able to act with such
arbitrary and violent impunity, with the assistance of law enforcers. Of
particular concern is the fact that Lieutenant Colonel Hamza is an officer
attached to Peshawar, NWFP, and has no professional connection to Kashmir,
which has been declared by the government of Pakistan to be an independent
state. This case exposes the apparent limit to Kashmir officials’ authority
over the ISI, which frequently conducts operations in the area under the
banner of national security.
Civilian representatives in Muzaffarabad and members of the Kashmir National
Party have held public protests, and written several letters to the prime
minister of Pakistani-held Kashmir and other high officials of the Pakistani
and Kashmir governments, yet no action has been taken.
I demand that action is taken to secure the safe release of the three
detained men, and that those responsible face strong legal sanctions. Please
also ensure that the victims receive extensive compensation and
rehabilitation for their ordeal.
Yours sincerely,
—————-
*PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:*
1. Mr. Yousaf Raza Gillani
Prime minister of Pakistan
C/o Mr. Zafar Mahmood
Cabinet Secretary
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 51-9213562
Fax: +92 51-9201357
2. Mr. Raja Mohammad Farooq Haider
Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
The Prime Minister Secretariat,
Muzaffarbad,
Azad Kashmir,
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92-5822-921600
Fax+92-5822-921601
And: Kashmir House
F-5, Islamabad,
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92-51-9209093-5
Fax: +92-51-9206288
Email: pm@pmajk.gov.pk
3. Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar,
Minister for Defence,
Government of Pakistan
Ministry of defence,
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: 92-51-99271113
4. Mr.Naeem Khan
Secretary
Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas
Pakistan Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Email: secretary@moka.gov.pk
5. Mr. A Rehman Malik
Minister for Interior
R Block Pak Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 51 9212026
Fax: +92 51 9202624
E-mail: ministry.interior@gmail.com or interior.complaintcell@gmail.com
6. Dr. Faqir Hussain
Registrar
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Constitution Avenue
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: + 92 51 9213452
E-mail: mail@supremecourt.gov.pk
——————————
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
—————————–
Asian Human Rights Commission
19/F, Go-Up Commercial Building,
998 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hongkong S.A.R.
Tel: +(852) – 2698-6339 Fax: +(852) – 2698-6367
Despicable behavior from ISI but I expect no better from them, the problem is when they see higher ups abuse their positions they also have the incentive to abuse their power. Cowards always pick on the week and that’s exactly what they are, when they pimp CIA hires them they don’t show this gunda gardi and quite to the contrary they lay down without any resistance. I pray for the people who have been abducted and abused may Allah give patience to them and they families. I will send an e-mail to all of the above.
The AHRC/NEWS could possibly NOT be wrong in airing such an abuse by ISI guys. It should be immediately investigated, & IF TRUE all those responsible be brought to task. NO let-up, NO ‘MAAFI’ what-so-ever. It is a matter of great shame & a blot on the name of the army,IF EVER such an event occurred.
@sabazbagh
Sir these misinformation against ISI is part of conspiracy to discredit and remove
the chief of ISI so the corrupt government can do what ever they want and their
masters.
This may will help you to understand the facts.
http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/dec2009-daily/12-12-2009/col12.htm
oh please anyone, don’t give me that shit about them fighting for our country
this is a small example.what about musharraf and others.
you say for personal reasons.not only this man but ayub khan ,zia,musharraf all acted for personal reasons.only yahya khan can be praised for holding pakistans first elections based on universal franchise and aslam beg can be credited with holding 1988 elections.this is not to say that yahya and beg were angels but comparatively they were better than the other three clowns, i.e ayub,zia and musharraf.
but still i say pakistan is an army with a country not a country with an army.generals will again intervene and shameless politicians will collaborate with them.thats going o happen as long as this country lasts.an undoubted failure certainly.
Asalam o Alaikum
Mr Admin Would u plz pass the source of this information with an attested copy of F.I.R against the col of ISI so i can play my role against the NON HUMANITARIAN act of the officer.
I hope u will definitely not take it personal and would have no objection telling me the SOURCE of this news, as it is our national duty to safe our nation.
Can I get a Col Hamza version of story too please?
Admin,
I don’t agree with this policy .i.e. publishing one sided story and not even mentioning that it is one sided, or we tried to call ISI or ISPR about their side of story. I know ISI personals never have their real names in the field but still you can try for getting their story.
The way this story has been written and brought up, it is suspicious.I have great sympathy for the person or persons if hurt, but still I would mention that we should not jump on to conclusions what ever story we get from any sources.
Thanks
@ rebelion1.
I personally think it will be of no use what-so-ever to obtain an attested copy of a F.I.R against a serving Colonel of the I.S.I or against any other ‘serving’ officer of the De fence Services, because it will further exacerbate the issue.
I MAY also be disappointing you here, by telling you that I ‘strongly’ feel that no ‘mai-ka-laal’ of any web-site or any ‘News’ agency would ever dare to gather enough courage to tell you the source of ‘such’ news. (I am sorry to caution you of such a fact.)
Take my word for it, that if ‘anybody’ does so, then he/she will get into so of much of ‘trouble’ like facing mental or even physical torture, (MAYBE or MAY-NOT-BE at the hands of ‘guys’ against whom that info is being asked, that, they MAY think twice before doing it so again.
I welcome ‘ANYBODY’ to please disagree with me, HERE & NOW!
@ Avalanche.
I think that your stance is more wiser that you want both sides of the ‘story’ to be heard first, before siding with one or the other.
@ ericarif.
It is too early to say with conviction that such misinformation is a part of any conspiracy or not. ‘Agay agay dekho hota hae kia?
@ericarif
Can you tell us about the guy who wrote that article in Jang
http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/dec2009-daily/12-12-2009/col12.htm
Why ISI should try to defeat a Superpower? while govt stated policy is to work with US. Why a state institution should not work as per constitution. Do you even know what we are reaping in Pakistan?
Rule of law and its application to EVERYBODY will save us and will make our life easier. We don’t have running water, electricity, education infrastructure, health infrastructure and we want to take on a super power. What would you get out of this? a satisfaction?
@econfused
Abdullah Muntizar editor Ghazwa wrote this article.
Why ISI should go against government stated policy?
1-It is not in the interest of the country to follow order of corrupt Zardari who have sold his soul to the devil for money.
2-It is their constitutional duty to defend the country from it,s enemies.
We as a nation are lazy dishonest and wants to be rich without working over night
We always are looking for short cuts in life which leads us to corruption and dis satisfaction and dishonesty.
All the crises you mentioned are results of this corrupt government,s poor and weak polices.First we have to correct our mistakes repent and then should expect
for goodness of God.
@ericarif,
You forgot to mention that he might be the guy from JD
It should be job of Govt to decide to pick their battles and not ISI or any other organization. You failed to answer, why instead of focusing on Health, Education, Water and other basic needs we should pick a battle with supper power. For sake of Allah Subhana Wa Tala come out of this stupid mantra of gorilla wars. We should build nation, fight internal corruption.
1) As corrupt Zardari is concerned, Army CEOs and management
decided to bring PPP leadership back, so don’t complain today.
2) It is not constitutional duty of ISI to take on a super power.
3) So it is fault of this government, that we don’t have Running water, electricity, education, health . So ISI should start a gorilla war against US? that’s your solution?
As long as we have people like you, there will be no cure, and trust me we all are in this fake sense of superiority that will destroy us.
@econfused
Yaar give me your contact number I will be more than happy to explain you.
I am very busy earning bread and butter for my family (sorry just bread Butter is
too expensive It is for the rich only)Hope you won,t mind. Talk to you soon.
the Pak army is carrying out a successful operation and we need to analyze that carefully. Pak army has been are pride and will remain inshAllah for the rest of the years. The Nation is well behind the Army and support their fight for extremism.
the media one day can make the army hero the other day it can make us hate it. The media has to be blamed partial for the current unstable situation of Pakistan. It has to play amuch better role I believe.
@econ. There is not a lot to explain. The army will ofcourse do anything guys when it comes down to national security. They have no personal disputes in this. Th extremists have literally ruined the country and they need to be a taught a lesson.
While drone attacks have resulted in civilian casualties it should be noted that almost all high-profile targets are eliminated through these attacks which would otherwise escape in case of a ground assault .The use of predator drones should be limited on the basis of a calculated risk
Torture cannot be tolerated in any form or manifestation but is it logical to defame an institution for the actions of a lone person. The army is conducting an assault which needs nationwide support
The ISI is purportedly not part of the Army.
Though paradoxically headed by a general it is a civilian agency with no obvious scrutiny or control by civilian bureaucrats or by peoples elected representatives.
I believe it is an efficient institution but better oversight, checks and balances are needed to avoid human rights abuses.
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