TOBA TEK SINGH, Aug 10: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its grave concern over the month-long strike by Gojra powerloom workers. Speaking at a news conference here on Thursday at the press club, Punjab HRCP legal advisor Mahboob Ahmad Khan said the administration or elected representatives seemed to be least interested in resolving the issue.

Mr Khan said he together with other commission members visited the hunger strike camp of workers at Gojra on Thursday where they were apprised that the city SHO allegedly tortured 27 workers in police station just to please powerloom owners and registered false cases against them and leaders of political parties.

He lamented that the SHO was still on duty and police authorities did not even transfer him.

He said the Gojra workers were being paid wages fixed for them some 18 years ago while labourers at Faisalabad were obtaining at least 100 per cent more salaries.

He condemned the registration of cases against powerloom workers, political activists, trade unionists and demanded release of all the arrested labourers.

PPP leader Saifullah Cheema, Labour Party central women wing in-charge Begum Nazli Javed, district coordinator Tariq Mahmood, Child Rights Committee president Mehr Rab Nawaz Daduana and others were also present on the occasion.