The Unjust Incarceration of Aliya Hamza
Aliya Hamza Malik, a devoted mother of three and a committed member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has served her country as a Member of the National Assembly since being elected in 2018 on a reserved seat for women from Punjab. Her journey from being a respected parliamentarian to an unlawfully detained political prisoner is a tragic tale of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her principles.
For over 14 months, Aliya Hamza has been trapped in a relentless cycle of baseless accusations and unlawful arrests. On May 11, 2023, she was unjustly detained in a fabricated case related to the May 9 protests. Each time a court would release her, the state would immediately rearrest her on another groundless charge, ensuring her continued imprisonment. This torment has been a clear attempt to break her spirit and force her into submission.
The nightmare began on the evening of May 10, 2023, a day after nationwide protests. As the government launched an unprecedented crackdown on PTI members, Aliya was at home in Lahore with her family. Suddenly, a persistent pounding on the door shattered the evening calm. Nearly a dozen police officers, some in plain clothes, broke down the door, brandishing guns and sticks. The scene was chaotic—mirrors shattered, cabinets and TV sets smashed. The all-male contingent seized phones, laptops, and even AirPods, all without an arrest or search warrant.
"They basically abducted her, with guns pointed at our three teenage daughters and my mother," recounted Aliya's husband, describing the harrowing ordeal. "If this can happen to a high-profile ex-parliamentarian, then imagine the plight of a common man with limited resources."
Aliya Hamza’s battle through the legal system has been a harrowing journey marked by relentless persecution and systemic injustice. Her initial arrest on May 11, 2022, was based on a fabricated case related to the May 9 protests. Despite the clear lack of evidence, she was detained, beginning a cycle of arrests and re-arrests that would see her trapped in an unending nightmare.
On May 18, 2023, after being held in Kot Lakhpat jail, Aliya was granted bail. However, the moment she stepped outside the jail, she was immediately rearrested and placed in judicial custody for another seven days. This pattern of being granted bail only to be re-arrested persisted, highlighting the malicious intent behind her detainment. Each time a court would find no substantial evidence to hold her, the state would concoct another baseless charge, ensuring her continued imprisonment.
Months passed with Aliya being shuffled from one jail to another. She was denied bail on multiple occasions, including on August 18 and September 23, 2023. Each court appearance brought a glimmer of hope, only to be dashed by yet another unjust decision. The legal system seemed complicit in her persecution, as judges repeatedly delayed decisions or outright rejected her bail pleas without just cause.
The cycle of torment continued into the new year. On January 30, 2024, Aliya was finally granted bail again, but her relief was short-lived. The very next day, February 1, she was rearrested from the same jail, highlighting the state's relentless pursuit to keep her behind bars. On March 27, 2024, she was once again granted bail, but as soon as she stepped out, she was embroiled in another investigation in Sargodha and sent on a 15-day remand to Sargodha jail.
Her ordeal did not end there. On April 17, 2024, the anti-terrorism court released her from Mianwali, only for her to be rearrested and placed on another seven-day remand. By May 29, she was granted bail yet again, but was unlawfully kept in custody. The vicious cycle repeated on June 6, when she was released from jail only to be arrested right outside the premises.
The judicial system's handling of Aliya's case has been a clear mockery of justice. On July 19, 2024, during the judge's final session before a holiday break, no decision was issued after hearing arguments, consistent with the past practices of delaying her bail hearings. This persistent delay and lack of concrete decisions in her favor underscore the systematic oppression she faces. This is clearly a case of an unlawfully detained political prisoner enduring mental torment. The main reason is to coerce her towards a potential compromise; to persuade Aliya to relent on her principled stance and negotiate with those responsible for her incarceration.
Despite the relentless oppression, Aliya has shown extraordinary resilience. Her statements from the prison van echo her unwavering support for Imran Khan and her refusal to bow down to her oppressors. The absurdity of the charges against her, claiming she could be in multiple cities at once, underscores the baseless nature of her persecution.
But Aliya Hamza is not alone in her suffering. The regime has systematically targeted women, subjecting them to severe oppression and humiliation. This fascist campaign is designed to break their spirit and force them into submission. Women like Aliya, who stand firm in their principles, are seen as threats to the regime's authoritarian control and are thus subjected to the harshest forms of persecution.
The regime's actions reveal a deep-seated fear of strong, principled women. By incarcerating them on baseless charges and subjecting them to inhumane conditions, the regime hopes to silence dissent and crush any semblance of resistance. This despicable behavior underscores the regime's cowardice and its reliance on fear and brutality to maintain its grip on power.
Aliya Hamza has been subjected to the harshest conditions, denied medical help, and locked up in a stifling prison van for hours on end. Yet, her spirit remains unbroken. Her courage and resilience are a beacon of hope and strength, a testament to her unyielding commitment to justice and her country. The fascist regime has targeted women in an unprecedented and barbaric manner, subjecting them to severe oppression and humiliation. This despicable behavior highlights the regime's desperation and fear of strong, principled women like Aliya Hamza. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of relentless oppression, and it underscores the importance of standing firm against tyranny and injustice.