Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif ought to be a busy man. After all, he is battling anti-state subversiveness on multiple fronts. First there was the unceremonious firing of Punjab University professor Ammar Ali Jan over his ‘association’ with the social justice-seeking Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM). Now it appears that the HRCP is being intimidated. Yet before an investigation is completed it remains difficult to know who was behind this appalling tactic. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), conceived by the late but still indomitable Asma Jahangir, has, since 1986, been the one constant force for good for this country. Yet the fact that Maryam Hasan, the editor of its annual report, has been subjected to armed robbery and intimidation in what appears to be a targeted misadventure must not go unnoticed. Particularly given that the ‘burglars’, by their own admission, had cased her home the previous day but had postponed the break-in since she had not been there. Among the items taken away were Ms Hasan’s laptop, two hard drives and two mobile phones. She was also questioned her about her professional engagements. All of which has led the HRCP to believe that this was no ordinary theft. Bluntly put, the timing is suspect. Just days before the Commission had launched its report, State of Human Rights 2017. It paints a grim picture of Pakistan’s near-term future. Not only in terms of the state having reintroduced the death penalty or having refused to do away with separate election sheets for the Ahmadi community. But also when it comes to the rise of the religious right in the face of an impotent Centre; the casualties of which continue to be all minority faith groups as well as inquisitive students such as Mashal Khan. Though to be unfair, the state, regardless of political colours, has never much bothered about the Pakistan’s most vulnerable. HRCP’s most damning indictment, however, is reserved for such matters as enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings since both imply the security establishment’s complicity. Now is the belated chance for the Punjab CM to demonstrate just what he is made of. No one knows at this stage whether the harassment of Maryam Hasan was at the hands of state or non-state actors. In the immediate term, this does not matter. It is the job of the junior Sharif to find out and hold all involved to account. After all, the dispensation of justice should in no way be dependent upon the identity of those who commit crimes. The HRCP annual report is a dark stain on Pakistan’s record. Not least for those who have been at the helm of the country’s most populous and prosperous province for the last 10 years. * Published in Daily Times, April 21st 2018.