LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed disgust and alarm at the introduction of restrictions by Islamabad for Pakistanis travelling to India, with effect from March 15, and called the move contrary to basic human rights and a bid to put the clock back.

A statement issued by the HRCP on Friday said, “According to an official statement, the government has made the decision to regulate the visits of public servants, artists and journalists abroad ‘in the interest of Pakistan’s security and to safeguard the country’s prestige’.”

The government has said that the rule will also apply to students going abroad on scholarships. Not only is the decision bound to be counterproductive in a region where people have long suffered because of the iron curtain that regional borders have become, but the mandatory requirement to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the Interior Ministry before being allowed to travel abroad violates basic human rights.
Source: Daily Times
Date:2/26/2011