Daily Times

WASHINGTON: Association of Physicians of Pakistani descent of North America (APPNA) has demanded the government, judiciary and state institutions of Pakistan to take urgent action for ending “illegal and inhumane practice of enforced disappearances” across the country.

In a letter written to the authorities and obtained by Daily Times, the prestigious organisation of doctors of Pakistani origin, who serve in elite medical facilities across United States and Canada, has showed extreme concerns over the ongoing practice of involuntary disappearances of Pakistani citizens.

“News reports suggest an astonishing number of 4608 disappearances so far of which 1532 remain missing, causing unimaginable trauma to these citizens as well as their families and friends. Even more frightening is the trend that shows an increase in this practice to three citizens a day in the last six months of 2017,” letter issued by APPNA read.

The association, which comprises the most respected medical practitioners and influential doctors in North America, also mentioned that the organisation advocates constitutional values, democratic principles and human rights, and is deeply troubled to hear news about recurring cases of enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

APPNA stated that it was hard to comprehend how this practice can continue in a democracy while questioning the role of government, judiciary and concerned organisations in curbing the phenomenon.

“Why have the Supreme Court, the upholder of citizen rights and the rule of law, not been able to check this practice and bring those involved to accountability? Why has the legislation not taken heed of the Senate’s Committee on Human Rights, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to criminalise this practice,” the association of Pakistani doctors raised the serious questions.

The statement also sought making public of 2010 Judicial Commission on Enforced Disappearances Report asking the reasons for the failure to bring the report to spotlight and implementing on the recommendations given by the commission.

“As the face of Pakistan in both USA and Canada, APPNA considers the practice of enforced disappearances as a blot, and an unnecessary hurdle in furthering a positive image of Pakistan in the world,” the letter further read, warning that Democracy could not flourish in Pakistan and Pakistanis could not count themselves among the civilised nations of the world without ending the practice of involuntary disappearances of its citizens.

APNNA remains a pride of Pakistan for flaunting one of the most respected doctors and researchers in the field of medical sciences anywhere in the world while a great deal of their efforts also go to provide relief to the man-made or natural disaster struck zones across the world.

APPNA Medical missions and their members remain actively involved in humanitarian relief work in Syria, Burma/Bangladesh for Rohingya relief and Guatemala while a big chunk of their efforts focus different areas such as medical facilities and capacity building in Pakistan for being the origin land of the APPNA doctors. They also run numerous medical camps and relief work for marginalised citizens across Pakistan.

The influential organisation of Pakistani doctors is widely respected in developed world and it is all set to launch their own medical university in US as well as aiming to start broadcasting educational seminars in Pakistan for medical doctors and the general population.

The organisation has already signed MoUs with some Pakistani media outlets to help them provide public service announcements to the community on topics such as common diseases and preventative medicine.

Dr Iqbal Z Hamid is serving as President, Dr Sohail Khan as Secretary and Dr Lubna Naeem is serving as treasurer for APPNA during the year 2018.

APPNA joining the voice of Pakistani and international human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan would strengthen the campaign for ending the enforced disappearances of Pakistanis due to their equally respected position in Pakistan and the West.

Published in Daily Times, April 3^rd 2018.