HR body summons PTI Sindh chief over ‘iron rod’ remarks

Sheikh had asked party’s local leader to keep his ‘iron rod’ ready for opponents

KARACHI: The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has taken notice of ‘provocative’ remarks made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and provincial chief Haleem Adil Sheikh and directed him to appear before it on July 29.

Taking notice of the remarks published in newspapers and a video of Sheikh’s press conference that went viral on social media, the SHRC has directed Sheikh to personally appear before it and submit an explanation for his remarks. “The Commission has come across certain media reports (primarily news report published in Express Tribune dates July 22, 2019) and a video clip circulating around social media where in you have been heard mocking and politicking in a supportive tone, on an inhuman incident…,” the letter, undersigned by the SHRC chairperson Justice (R) Majida Razvi, states.

The SHRC’s letter also notes that the PTI’s provincial president has been quoted as saying, “You may not have had the iron rod on that day, but keep an iron rod with you on the 23rd; it may be needed.’

Sheikh passed these remarks in a press conference sitting with the prime accused, Iftikhar Ahmed Lund, nominated in the FIR, u/s 324, 355, 147 & 143 PPC.

A couple of months ago, a former employee of Lund had accused him of beating and sexually assaulting him with a metal object in the presence of local people.

Sheikh, Lund and most PTI provincial leaders have been engaged in the political campaign for the by-polls on NA-205 Ghotki. Lund hails from the same constituency and despite pressure from social and political activists, the PTI has nominated him as the focal person on human rights in Sindh.

During the press briefing, Sheikh also said that his party has thoroughly investigated the case and found Lund innocent.

When The Express Tribune reached out to Sheikh for comment, he said he hadn’t received any such notice yet. He added, however, that he would question the SHRC chairperson about the human rights violations across the province.

“Can she [Justice (R) Razvi] not see the children dying in Tharparkar and Ratodero? Isn’t that a bigger human rights violation than my iron rod?” he questioned.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2019.