The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and other civil society representatives called on the government on Thursday to tackle the “human rights crises” that prevailed in the country, including the shutdowns of protesters and abuse of blasphemy and cyber crime laws.

In a press conference in Karachi, according to a press release, HRCP chairman ASAD Butt and other “More human rights crises across the country”, including suppression of dissent, highlighted, restrictions on press freedom and a growing influence of establishment over governance.

“The short -term enforced disappearance of journalists and rights activists is now a significant cause of alarm,” the press release said, adding that the alleged role of the establishment in politics had “snowballed to the expense of democratic governance.” They said that accusations of political interference in the judiciary had shaken the public’s confidence in the justice system.