Seminar at KU on Baloch missing persons next week

E-Paper | March 15, 2026

KARACHI: A seminar on the missing persons of Balochistan is being organised on the premises of Karachi University on May 6 to support the struggle initiated by slain human rights activist Sabeen Mahmud.

The seminar, Baloch missing persons — role of state and society, will have Mama Qadeer, Mir Ali Talpur, S. Akbar Zaidi, Mohammed Hanif, Nazish Brohi, Farzana Majeed and Dr Arfana Mallah as speakers.

“We want to show that the freedom of speech cannot be suppressed by the mere wishes of the state apparatus. Sabeen’s martyrdom is not the end of the struggle of the liberals; instead it awakens the consciousness of the intelligentsia,” said Dr Riaz Ahmed, a senior KU teacher and part of the event organising team.

The event will be held at the auditorium of the KU’s faculty of arts at 11am.

The slain rights activist, who was the director of The Second Floor (T2F), was shot dead when she was driving home after organising a discussion on Baloch missing persons last Friday.

Earlier, a seminar on the same subject was cancelled by the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2015

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Weirdity

Apr 30, 2015 10:51am

I wonder whats going to be the consequences this time?

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Manjeet kocchar

Apr 30, 2015 11:26am

Kudos Go ahead. Positive always wins over Negativity ,good over bad, order over chaos.

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turtlehead

Apr 30, 2015 11:31am

Not another shoot out i hope... the speakers need kevlar suits.

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Akyl

Apr 30, 2015 12:29pm

Anyone can participate or is it only for the students of K.U? Pl let me know if somone knows.

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Satish Kumar Dogra

Apr 30, 2015 01:01pm

Hats off to these brave people! It is such people who help the light of justice survive through darker periods of history.

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Iqbal Bhai

Apr 30, 2015 02:58pm

Have they invited the "state" and the "society"? Any one-sided debate / seminar is only myopic. Viewers, listeners, and followers have a right to know both sides of the coin to form an informed and educated opinion.

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Usman Khan

Apr 30, 2015 04:21pm

So in 1970, four kent state university students were killed by the US national guard for protesting agie Vietnam war. Two weeks after the killings, the protests spread in almost all US universities. Their main slogan was 'they can't kill us all for speaking the truth'. I believe that if this seminar in KU goes ahead, Sabeen will be happy at the change she sparked.

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Haroon

Apr 30, 2015 04:39pm

I do not think I have to remind the state of its responsibility to its citizens, but security to all the participants should be provided.

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minority

Apr 30, 2015 05:40pm

Well lets see if they will keep up with the pressures that will do all to dissuade them. LUMS cowardly backed out - so much so for an elite university pursuing higher scholarship in freedom of speech!!! Lets hope that Sabeens sacrifice of paying with her life but upholding the principles of standing up for the down trodden and injustice have not been in vain and KU will go ahead with this for raising awareness and giving Mama Qadeer a platform for public engagement.

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Ali

Apr 30, 2015 06:06pm

To tribute Sabeen, Every university in all four provinces, Kashmir, Giligit should organize atleast one seminar on missing persons in Balochistan.

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Mir Ibrar

Apr 30, 2015 07:46pm

Issue must be raised every nook and corner of Pakistan. Everyone should know what is happening in Balochistan. If everything is right in Balochistan so why authorities opposing the seminars? let the cat out of the bag.

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Respect Everyone

May 01, 2015 07:31am

This seminar is a bold and honorable step in showing no sign of tolerance in the face intolerance toward human rights and freedom of expression, and speaking out for the speechless. It will be a great tribute to the people who lost their lives showing the great courage and setting example to defend and spread their beliefs of equality for all. All the best to speakers!

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Kautiliya

May 01, 2015 08:38am

All the universities,colleges and technical colleges must join the KU in non violent and peaceful demonstrations against the murder against sister Sabeen and the Baluch people.

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