PESHAWAR: Members of the Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network on Saturday protested the killing of rights activist, Sabeen Mehmud in Karachi and described it a very unfortunate incident.

The activists, who had gathered at Qissa Khwani, held banners and placards inscribed with demands for arrest of the killers at the earliest.

They also arranged a candlelight vigil in memory of the activist.

Speaking on the occasion, Zar Ali Khan Afridi, chairman of Tribal NGOs Consortium, Taimur Kamal, coordinator of PCSN, and Qamar Naseem said that human rights defenders were not safe in Pakistan.

They asked the government to protect defenders of civil rights.

“Pakistan is an insecure country for those who are working for the rights of people,” they opined.

Qamar Naseem said bids to criminalise the society were unacceptable and shameful.

He said that civil society organisations should devise an effective strategy to highlight the murder of Sabeen.

“Our society is becoming more and more intolerant which is not a good sign. We need to be tolerant and accommodative. Views of other people should also be respected and stopping peoples’ voice by force is leading us towards an anarchic situation,” said Mr Naseem.

Taimur Kamal said that Sabeen was a human rights activist and was punished for the very act.

“Killing human rights defenders is unacceptable and is a serious crime. We need to come closer and get together to work for protection of human rights defenders,” he demanded.

Zar Ali Afridi expressed concern over the tragic killing and termed it a shameful act on part of those who perpetrated it.

He said that issues should be resolved through dialogue and not through barrel of gun. He said Pakistan was a signatory to universal declaration on human rights and as such it should protect the advocates of human rights.

He said that it was unfortunate that human rights defenders were facing death threats in Pakistan.

Later, a candlelight vigil was also observed to honour the slain rights activist.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2015

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