The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister)

The Honourable Mélanie Joly (Minister of Foreign Affairs)

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan (Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada)

 Global Affairs Canada

 125 Sussex Drive

Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2 Canada

Subject: Petition - Urgent Action Required on the Current Situation in Pakistan

Dear Ministers,

We, the undersigned concerned Canadian citizens, write to you with great urgency and deep concern regarding the distressing civil unrest, violations of human rights, and erosion of democratic values currently taking place in Pakistan. As citizens of Canada, a nation with a deep relationship with Pakistan, we believe it is our moral obligation to register our concerns and implore the Canadian government to take necessary actions to ensure justice, human rights, and the fair continuation of democracy.

Current Situation in Pakistan:

The current situation in Pakistan is deeply alarming and raises serious concerns. We highlight the following key issues:

Violation of the Constitution: Elections are not being held within three months of the dissolution of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) provincial assemblies, in direct violation of the constitution. This undermines the democratic processes and institutions that are fundamental to a democratic society.
Military Involvement in Politics: The deep involvement of the military in politics, with its alignment with the sitting government, raises significant concerns about the impartiality and independence of the political process. This interference not only undermines the principles of democracy but also contributes to an environment of political polarization and unrest.
Unfair Arrests and Erosion of Due Process: The government's actions of making dubious cases against opposition party leaders, journalists, citizens, and politicians, and the unlawful arrests of thousands of individuals without access to the legal system, erode the principles of justice and fairness that are essential for a democratic society.
Media Control and Suppression: The control exerted by the military and the government over Pakistani media raises serious concerns about freedom of the press. Journalists face severe censorship, limiting the dissemination of information and stifling public discourse, thereby hindering the democratic principles of transparency and accountability.

Commitment/Mandate of Canada:

Canada has a strong commitment to advancing democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, and global stability. This commitment is reflected in the mandate letters, which includes the following key objectives:

Advancing Democracy and Human Rights: Canada is committed to promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance internationally. This includes supporting efforts to build peace, advance justice, promote human rights, inclusion, and democracy, and deliver good governance.
Strengthening Diplomatic Presence: Canada aims to expand its diplomatic presence in regions of strategic importance to foster open, transparent, and inclusive governance. By actively engaging with democratic partners, Canada seeks to promote democratic values and contribute to global stability.
Defending Freedom of Expression: Canada strongly opposes the mistreatment and arbitrary detention of journalists. The work of the Media Freedom Coalition is an important initiative in protecting freedom of expression and combating the suppression of journalists worldwide.
Condemning Arbitrary Detention: Canada is actively working to condemn and eradicate the practice of arbitrary detention. The commitment to coordinate collective international responses to specific incidents of arbitrary detention demonstrates Canada's dedication to addressing this issue and protecting individuals from unjust detention.
Combating Corruption: Canada collaborates with international partners to establish an International Anti-Corruption Court. This initiative aims to prevent corrupt officials and authoritarian governments from impeding development and infringing on the rights of their citizens.

Steps Canadian Government Should Take:

In light of the current situation in Pakistan and Canada's commitment to democracy, human rights, and global stability, we urge the Canadian government to uphold its commitment through the following actions:

1. Dispatch Independent Observers: Canada, in collaboration with other Commonwealth countries and the United Nations, should consider dispatching independent observers to monitor the electoral and judicial processes. Their presence would help ensure fair and free elections, timely justice, and transparency, thereby restoring trust in the legal and electoral systems.
2. Register Concerns with Pakistani Authorities: Canada must formally register its concerns with the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad and the Pakistani High Commission in Ottawa. This act would demonstrate Canada's commitment to upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, encouraging the Pakistani government to take necessary measures to address civil unrest, military involvement in politics, unfair arrests, and severe media censorship.
3. Engage with Pakistani Authorites: We request that Prime Minister The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau and Honourable Mélanie Joly (Minister of Foreign Affairs), as representatives of the Canadian government, directly contact your Pakistani counterparts. Expressing concerns at the highest level would underscore Canada's commitment to justice, human rights, and democracy and demonstrate our willingness to support Pakistan in its journey towards stability.
4. Mobilize International Support: Canada should actively engage with the international community, including the United Nations and other Commonwealth countries. By raising awareness and garnering support from like-minded nations, Canada can exert diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to address civil unrest, protect democracy, and ensure the respect for human rights.

We understand the importance of respecting the sovereignty of nations and not interfering in their internal matters. However, when justice, human rights, freedom of speech, peaceful protests, and democracy are at stake, these issues become global concerns. Canada's proud history of upholding these values and advocating for their protection worldwide positions our nation to make a difference and contribute to the restoration of justice, democracy, and stability in Pakistan.

We kindly request your urgent attention to this matter, as time is of the essence. The Pakistani Canadian community looks to you as their representatives in the Canadian government to champion their concerns and take action. Your efforts in addressing this critical issue will be greatly appreciated by Pakistani Canadians and all Canadians who believe in the fundamental principles of justice, human rights, and democracy.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We trust that under your leadership, Canadian Government and Global Affairs Canada will take the necessary steps to address this urgent matter and promote a fair and just resolution to the ongoing civil unrest in Pakistan.

Yours sincerely,

Concerned Canadian Citizens