NGOs protest Parveen Rehman’s killing

"The civil society would continue its struggle against all odds with renewed courage," says Asif Ali Jah.

HARIPUR:

Multiple nongovernmental organisations (NGO) held a protest at Haripur Press Club on Friday to condemn the brutal killing of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) Director Parveen Rehman.

Activists from various organisations, including Rural Development Project, Human Development Organization, Sahara Foundation, Sustainable Development Vision, Save the Children, Badban and Beer Development Society, took to the streets with banners and slogans.

Once they reached the press club, various speakers lodged their protest against the alleged target killing of OPP director Parveen Rehman.

“Hidden forces just want to sabotage the process of human development which NGOs have undertaken in the country,” said Qamar Hayat, the Executive Director of Sahara Foundation. He said NGOs shoulder the burdens of the state by stepping in and providing multiple services. “But the state could not provide protection to aid workers who are falling victim to hate-filled elements derailing development.” Asif Ali Jah from Beer Development Society vowed, “The civil society would continue its struggle against all odds with renewed courage.”

Rehman was gunned down by armed men in Pakthunabad neighbourhood of Karachi on Wednesday.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.