KARACHI, Jan 6: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed concern over the issue concerning the Institute of Behavioural Sciences (IBS) and urged the Sindh governor to institute an inquiry into the matter.

In a communication to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, HRCP Secretary- General Hina Jillani demanded an independent inquiry into the issue.

The communications says: “It is reported that on Dec 10, 2002 armed men removed the associate executive director under threat of force.

“They harassed and intimidated the doctors, administration and the staff of the institute and occupied the building. Several patients receiving psychiatric care were present at the institute who suffered trauma because of the manner in which these men behaved.

“The institute was set up at the initiative of the Pakistan Association of Mental Health to provide services in the field of mental health, an important social rights denied to a vast majority of the people suffering from mental disabilities.

“The HRCP calls upon the government of Sindh to hold an inquiry by an independent and impartial body into the incident.”