‘Detained By Rangers’: Global NGO calls for Baloch’s release

KARACHI: The International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressing concern regarding the recent arrest of Saeed Baloch, general secretary of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum and a board member of ECSR-Net. Baloch was allegedly taken into custody by the Rangers on January 16. “Baloch has been on the frontline of struggles for human rights and environmental protection,” said Chris Grove, director ESCR-Net, in the letter sent on Thursday. The ECSR-Net website states that Baloch is allegedly accused of financially assisting an individual involved in organised crime and embezzling fisheries’ funds. The network has also sent a copy of the letter to President Mamnoon Hussain, and senior provincial and federal law and human rights officials. It calls for a prompt and independent investigation into Baloch’s detention and his immediate release.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2016.