LAHORE, March 14: Condemning the assassination of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) Director Parveen Rehman, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has called upon all Pakistanis, who care for freedom, justice and human rights, to stand up against their enemies that are out to destroy their symbols of hope.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, the commission said: “The HRCP condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of OPP Director Parveen Rehman -- one of the most committed and courageous defenders of the cause of the poor and the disadvantaged this country has had.”

It said for 30 years she worked against all odds and hazards, ignoring the threats to her life as she travelled daily through Karachi’s killing fields to extend succour to vulnerable groups.

Proving herself an able successor to inimitable Akhtar Hameed Khan, she guided the Orangi Pilot Project in retaining its position as a pioneering institution in the areas of urban development, rural planning, water and sewerage management, poor children’s education and a genuine micro-credit service, the HRCP said.

Her assassination was a cruel blow to the country’s civil society and a great loss to the nation.

“The HRCP offers sincere condolences to the bereaved family and the OPP team and affirms its view that it is not enough to shed tears over wanton killing of the best of Pakistan’s sons and daughters.”

It said all those who care for freedom, justice and human rights must stand up together and “resist the monsters that were out to destroy their symbols of hope and love”.