A woman who dedicated her life to exposing state-sponsored disappearances in Pakistan now faces a life sentence. The case, which has drawn international condemnation, underscores the peril faced by human rights defenders in a country where dissent is increasingly criminalised.
Gulalai Ismail, a prominent activist and founder of the organisation Aware Girls, was arrested on charges of terrorism and sedition after leading protests against enforced disappearances. The charges, which carry a potential life sentence, are widely seen as retaliation for her work documenting the fate of hundreds of men who vanished after being taken by security forces.
The United Kingdom has called for a fair trial, with a Foreign Office spokesperson stating: “We are deeply concerned by the charges against Gulalai Ismail. The UK urges the Pakistani authorities to ensure her safety and uphold due process.” The statement follows a similar appeal from the United Nations, which has listed enforced disappearances as a critical issue in Pakistan.
Ismail’s family and legal team argue that the evidence against her is fabricated. Her brother, Ahmed Ismail, told reporters: “Gulalai has never picked up a weapon. Her only crime was giving a voice to the voiceless. The state is trying to silence her.”
The case has ignited protests in Karachi and Lahore, with activists drawing comparisons to the 2014 crackdown on supporters of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, a group that also campaigns against enforced disappearances. Pakistan’s human rights commission has recorded over 9,000 disappearances since 2011, with survivors and families facing intimidation.
For the UK, this case is a test of its influence in Pakistan. London has provided millions in aid and diplomatic support to Islamabad, yet critics argue that it has not done enough to pressure Pakistan on human rights. Labour MP Sarah Champion, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Pakistan, said: “We cannot stand by while a woman is jailed for speaking truth to power. The UK must use its leverage to secure her release.”
The trial is expected to begin in the coming weeks. For now, Gulalai Ismail remains in a high-security prison in Islamabad, her plight a stark reminder of the cost of resistance. As her supporters chant outside the courtroom, the question lingers: how many more must disappear before the world acts?
