ISLAMABAD, Dec 21: Chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has demanded of the government to end plight of the tenants of Okara military farms.

According to the PPP media cell, this demand was made in a letter addressed to the defence minister.

“I write to draw attention to the plight of the tenants of Okara military farms with a view to seeking an end to their inhuman persecution.

“Last Friday, paramilitary officials, belonging to the Punjab rangers, under the command of Gen Mehdi took into custody the father of a tenant murdered on Aug 24. It is apprehended that the father was taken into illegal custody to pressure him into withdrawing the murder case filed against the officials.

“There is concern for the safety of the father, Patras Masih. It is feared that he could be killed extra judicially to prevent the pursuit of his son’s murder case. There is no case registered against Mr Patras.

“An earlier defence ministry and army chief had the courage during the Tando Bahawal incident in 1992, to order the court martial of those involved in the murder of nine villagers. Such courage is now required if blood of the innocent youth is to bear fruit in future for the coming generation free from abuse of public office”, the letter said.

According to the letter, Ms Bhutto has asked the Ministry of Defence to: (i) secure the release of Patras; (ii) give full ownership rights to the tenants as promised to them time and again; (iii) constitute an independent judicial commission under a judge, who refused to take an oath under the Legal Framework Order, to probe the killing of 19-year-old, Salman Masih.

Salman Masih was reportedly tortured to death by the personnel of the paramilitary forces. Family of Salman was denied the legal right to register an FIR and carry out a post-mortem before the burial.