ISLAMABAD, March 27: A number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have demanded of the government to ensure friendly environment where they can work for the human cause freely and fearlessly.

The demand was made at an emergency meeting coordinated by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). The statement was issued by the Joint Action Committee following the issuance of non-bailable warrants against the director Progressive Women’s Association, Shehnaz Bukhari.

As per facts, an FIR has been lodged against Ms Bukhari under Hudood at Waris Khan police station, Rawalpindi. She has been charged with abduction and abetment in rape of a young woman, Shazia, who had been provided shelter by the shelter home run by Shahnaz Bukhari in October 2001.

Ms Shazia’s husband has accused Ms Bukhari of abduction and abetment in rape, the charges denied by Ms Shazia in the civil court where she had sought divorce from her husband.

After a series of events which took place with regard to this case, on March 8, 2002 Waris Khan police station called Ms Bukhari informing her of issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants against her.

Mr Rub Nawaz Noon, defence council for Ms Bukhari submitted an appeal for the quashment in the Federal Shariat Court (FSC).

On the eve of the first hearing of the case on March 14 in the FSC headed by Justice Fazal Illahi Khan warrants were temporary suspended and April 6, was set for discussion.

It was observed in the statement that Ms Bukhari who had been running a shelter home for some time now was being harassed with certain ulterior motives by certain quarters, however, she refused to quote names.

The committee impressed upon the government to issue directives so that people working for human rights could not be involved in criminal cases, as in the case of Ms Bukhari.