‘Detained by Rangers’: Activists discuss options for Baloch’s release
Paramilitary force allegedly took PFF activist into custody on Saturday
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Social activists and trade unionists have vowed to defend their comrade Saeed Baloch and take the matter of his alleged detention by the Rangers to court.
Trade unionists and activists gathered on Monday at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan office in Saddar to discuss actions that can help in their collegaue's release.
Baloch, an employee of the Fishermen Cooperative Society and an activist of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), was allegedly taken into custody by the Rangers on Saturday. The law-enforcement agency has not responded to inquiries regarding the alleged arrest.
Missing person: Activists protest colleague’s disappearance
The participants at the meeting agreed on assisting Baloch's family to file a petition in the Sindh High Court, and urged that he be produced in court. They decided to take a delegation to the Rangers director-general and seek his release. They also denied that Baloch was involved in corruption or was financing gang wars or terrorism.
A trade unionist and employee in the State Bank, Liaquat Sahi, said the alleged arrest was a cause of concern as the law enforcement agencies were not divulging his whereabouts and had not allowed him to meet anyone.
"If we maintain silence over Saeed Baloch's detention, then we won't be able stand up for anyone. We will remain strong, and are ready to face arrests for his cause," said Sahi.
Another activist from the Urban Resource Centre, Zahid Farooq, demanded involvement of political parties since Baloch was a popular figure in the civil society.
Farhat Parveen from NOW Communities said, "Lawyers should be brought in for consultations to tell us what action should be taken." The activist expressed concern that a person like Baloch, who has been against gang-wars, has been arrested.
"All the Lyariites are worried that Baloch has been arrested. They should also be brought in for discussions. We need to build public pressure [for his release]."
Along with Baloch, two other employees of the Fishermen Cooperative Society are also said to have been arrested, said the participants.
Another trade unionist, Raheel Iqbal, said that they should hold a press conference. "This is a testing point. What can we do for our trade unionist friend?"
He claimed that no trade unionist can be involved in terrorism.
Mohammad Ali Shah of the PFF said pressure would not be built by one protest, but by legal means, saying he had received a call from Baloch Saturday evening who told him that he was called in by the Rangers.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2016.
Social activists and trade unionists have vowed to defend their comrade Saeed Baloch and take the matter of his alleged detention by the Rangers to court.
Trade unionists and activists gathered on Monday at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan office in Saddar to discuss actions that can help in their collegaue's release.
Baloch, an employee of the Fishermen Cooperative Society and an activist of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), was allegedly taken into custody by the Rangers on Saturday. The law-enforcement agency has not responded to inquiries regarding the alleged arrest.
Missing person: Activists protest colleague’s disappearance
The participants at the meeting agreed on assisting Baloch's family to file a petition in the Sindh High Court, and urged that he be produced in court. They decided to take a delegation to the Rangers director-general and seek his release. They also denied that Baloch was involved in corruption or was financing gang wars or terrorism.
A trade unionist and employee in the State Bank, Liaquat Sahi, said the alleged arrest was a cause of concern as the law enforcement agencies were not divulging his whereabouts and had not allowed him to meet anyone.
"If we maintain silence over Saeed Baloch's detention, then we won't be able stand up for anyone. We will remain strong, and are ready to face arrests for his cause," said Sahi.
Another activist from the Urban Resource Centre, Zahid Farooq, demanded involvement of political parties since Baloch was a popular figure in the civil society.
Farhat Parveen from NOW Communities said, "Lawyers should be brought in for consultations to tell us what action should be taken." The activist expressed concern that a person like Baloch, who has been against gang-wars, has been arrested.
"All the Lyariites are worried that Baloch has been arrested. They should also be brought in for discussions. We need to build public pressure [for his release]."
Along with Baloch, two other employees of the Fishermen Cooperative Society are also said to have been arrested, said the participants.
Another trade unionist, Raheel Iqbal, said that they should hold a press conference. "This is a testing point. What can we do for our trade unionist friend?"
He claimed that no trade unionist can be involved in terrorism.
Mohammad Ali Shah of the PFF said pressure would not be built by one protest, but by legal means, saying he had received a call from Baloch Saturday evening who told him that he was called in by the Rangers.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2016.