Ansar Burney completed his tenure as the first ever caretaker minister of human rights. During his four months stint in the Ministry of Law, Burney worked hard tirelessly for providing a safe passage for suspected and convicted enemies of Pakistan while completely disregarding Pakistanis. He even went a step further by actively trying to dissuade Pakistanis from fighting for their own rights. As this article will show, Burney’s work would make any Indian proud of him and hence he will be referred more appropriately as Burney (Singh).
Burney (Singh)’s personal website boasts that he had refused repeated offers to become a minister or be part of a government citing time and conflict of interest issues. Finally he accepted an offer to become a minister when he thought the time was appropriate – when safeguards of fundamental human rights in Pakistan had been suspended. His oath did not require him to protect Pakistanis from human rights violations. Instead, he could focus on a higher, much nobler objective of releasing state enemies and shamelessly self promoting himself.
We, the people of Pakistan, as naive as we always have been, still thought we could go to Burney (Singh) for help and protection from state oppression. With fellow members of Islamabad Civil Society, I suggested contacting Burney (Singh), asking him for the release the heroes of Pakistan, particularly the Honorable Chief Justice. Older fellow members of the resistance movement against Musharraf’s martial law suggested that such moves would be futile: they argued that if Burney (Singh) really cared for the rights of Pakistanis, he would not have acquiesced to the unconstitutional Nov 3rd actions by becoming a part of the caretaker government.
Nonetheless, we called him. He responded in a half concerned tone, promising good news in a few days. According to him, the CJP was under “protective and preventive custody” and he would be allowed to leave his home very soon. He also promised us to do whatever possible for the swift release of all the political prisoners.
As it later transpired, Mr. Burney (Singh) was a step ahead and had already tried to mediate the release of some judges and lawyers. In his meeting with Aitzaz Ahsan, Burney (Singh) offered a proposal: release from the illegal incarceration if Mr. Ahsan would promise not to fight for the Pakistani people’s demand for the restoration of THE independent judiciary. Other detained lawyers and judges were offered the same terms. The Minster of Human Rights of Pakistan would release these innocent captives ONLY if they gave up their human rights in return!
Burney (Singh) did not stop for a moment to think about the immorality and shamelessness of his act. No where in the history of any country has a human rights minister asked the people under his protection to give up their rights. It is amazing how he can still proclaim to be a champion of human rights after these incidents. Is Burney (Singh) trying to make a fool out of his own self? Perhaps a dictionary and a job in India would have been a good farewell present for him.
Newspapers and independent televisions channels reported police brutality on protesters regularly since Nov 3rd. His own caretaker government was ordering baton charge and tear gas on protestors. Many were arrested and manhandled; some even joined the ‘missing in Pakistan’. Women and children were beaten, mistreated and harassed. Did Burney (Singh) take ONE notice of all of this?
After the lifting of the “state of emergency”, a version of the constitution replaced the PCO. Even this mutilated form of the constitution had basic provisions of human rights. However two days after the lifting of state of emergency, police thrashed members of Student Action Committee, many of them women and juvenile. This was covered in all local and major international newspapers. A letter was sent to Burney (Singh) urging him to take action against police brutality. Pictures of women and children being hammered by police batons were attached. A copy was also sent to Burney (Singh)’s private email incase he did not read the news or letters sent to him. He wasn’t even courteous enough to send a two-lined response to us.
In the following weeks protests heading towards the CJ’s house were always tear gassed and covered in the news. Burney (Singh) never took any notice of the police brutality or what the protesters were demanding. Instead he blatantly slandered the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan claiming that Iftikhar Chaudry had illegally occupied the house and there were no bars on his movement! This barefaced perjury is voluble of Burney (Singh)’s credibility.
So what did Burney (Singh) do during his four months as caretaker minister? Surely it must get boring having nothing to do. He continued with his earlier work of trying to arrange for release of Indian prisoners lurking in Pakistani jails. His biggest efforts towards shameless self-promotion were the months and state resources spent trying to locate an item for quick promotion. He soon got it in the form of Kashmir Singh and the media monotone on him the next few days. The hero’s departure given to a former spy who was engaged in anti-Pakistan activities was quite disturbing. Kashmir Singh was first of the many enemies of Pakistan Burney (Singh) is working diligently for. For instance, Burney (Singh) is now involved in preventing the execution of Sarabjit Singh. Sarabjit confessed his involvement in bomb blasts in Pakistan before the Supreme Court in 2005.
The above works of Burney (Singh) would make Shiv Sina proud. One tends to wonder on whose agenda Burney (Singh) and his trust work?
Samad Khurram is a student of Government in Harvard University. He is a columnist for the Harvard Crimson, is also an active member of the Student Action Committee.
Comments
17 responses to “Ansar Burney (Singh): The Human Rights Minister for Indians”
lol … nice right up but you forgot to put the right picture of mr insar http://express.com.pk/epaper/Article.aspx?newsID=1100380636&Date=20080403&Issue=NP_LHE
These *enlightened* bastards need to go. I had a bit respect for Ansar Barni, but not any more.
These people work for show-offs.
The death sentence for Sarabjit Singh is well deserved and warrants no leniency, he is convicted for carrying out five bomb blasts in Pakistan in 1990s.
Mr. Burney is working to get pardon for Sarabjit Singh after getting pardon and release of Kashmir Singh. It is extremely sad that he has shown no sympathy for those countless Pakistanis who have been left to death in Indian jails. The ruthless Indian side sent the dead body of Khalid Mehmood, a avid Cricket fan to Pakistani authorities in the same week as a sign of gratitude on release of Kashmir Singh.
I hope Mr Burney will pay some attention to Pakistanis imprisoned in Indian jails on HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS.
Mr.Burney your steps regarding Sarabjit Singh itself a humanitarian and deserve appriciation.
ok imran lets free all the (indian)prisinors who have raped killed and terrorise only becoz we love the f..king indians
I need your help sir contact me my cell number iz 0307-5478591
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Jang Group's Love Affair With Arse Burney
Doc, any clues to this?
Jang Group also loves Zardari:) and Guess who the one and only Mr. Ansar Abbasi:)))
REFERENCE: Zardari makes his mark By Ansar Abbasi Comment Tuesday, April 14, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id…
REFERENCE: After setbacks, Zardari is an improved, chastised man By Ansar Abbasi Wednesday, April 29, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?id…
Jang Group also hates oh no love oh no hate Senator Saifur Rehman:))) Jang Group's Petition against Nawaz Sharif.
http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2010/02/jang-gro…
dear sir i m living in dubai when i started job in dubai at that time i got some credit card and and lone which I alIready paid in my installment but there was a gap between the installments so bank filed crimnal case against me. and my passport with police now. I had been lost my job too, and not be able to pay this amount now even instalments. I can not go to Pakistan. My 5 years old son and 3 years old daughter waiting for me. and i cant do any thing for them now. I am sceard from the jail. right now i m out from the jail on the behalf of my passport. if some thing can possible for me please help meI want go to my country Pakistan. I live in Burns Road Karachi.
my mobile No is: 00971 55 527 4237
yours truly
S.M Usman
My name is Farzana Mughal and i m living in sukkur and i m facing very hard because my husband in jail in belgium since last 10 years.and i want help him but i m compelled and helpless lady because i belong to very poor family my parent has been expired and i m alone in this world and i need of your help in this matter please give me guideline and help me i will be pray for your long life and successe forever.i m given full add:ABBAS AAMIR,PRISON-D-ITTRE 100, RUE DE CLABECO 1460,ITTRE. BELGIEM.
MY MOBILE NO IS HERE.03366284656 and i wlll be wait for you posative reply and please do something for my husband
aoa
sir i need your help plz gave me ur numbr or contacton this no 0345#######
ansar burney cell numer ?
Ansar Burney Sahib i tried to contact to London Office, and Pakistan office but your numbers are not working i got 18 days left need your support in very important matter please see your official email i left my contact number over there. GOD BLESS YOU