Missing persons: ‘JSMM leader illegally detained for 2 months’

Sindhi nationalist leader in custody of intelligence agencies.

HYDERABAD:

The wife of a missing Sindhi nationalist leader has appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Human Rights Commission for help.

At a press conference, with her three children by her side, Saima Bhutto alleged that her husband Muzaffar Bhutto was arrested by the intelligence agencies at the New Saeedabad Toll Plaza on February 25.

“Since that day we have not known where he is,” said Saima. “The police has not declared his arrest.”

Bhutto is a leader of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz, the same party that lost three of its activists who were murdered in Sanghar.

Saima claimed that Muzaffar had been detained in the past as well. In 2005, he was in extra-judicial custody by intelligence agencies for 18 months.

An FIR was registered, mere days before he was granted bail. Charges of involvement in bomb blasts were levelled against him.

Saima has registered a case against the district police officer of Matiari and SHO of the police station where her husband was detained.

The Sindh High Court’s Hyderabad Circuit Bench is hearing the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2011.