Sindh CM 'concerned' over activist Jibran Nasir's disappearance

Instructs IGP to submit report, ensure his earliest possible recovery

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Friday expressed his "concern" over the disappearance of well-known rights activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir.

Nasir's wife Mansha Pasha said she was present with him in their car yesterday when at least 15 unidentified heavily armed men in multiple vehicles cornered them and abducted him from near his residence in Karachi’s DHA.

“We were returning after having dinner when a white Vigo intercepted and almost crushed us. There were 15 men with pistols and they took away my husband forcibly,” Pasha said in her video statement.

کچھ دیر پہلے میرے شوہر جبران ناصر کو پندرہ کے قریب مسلح لوگ اٹھا کر لے گئے ہیں، اہلیہ منشا پاشا
What the hell! Why#releasejibrannasir pic.twitter.com/a2wbXeQ6QW

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) June 1, 2023

She urged everyone to make efforts and pray for the early recovery of her husband.

Read LHC summons interior, defence secys

Nasir, a former independent candidate in the 2018 general elections from Karachi, has criticised the recent state crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and legal proceedings concerning individuals allegedly involved in riots.

In the 3 weeks since 9th May:
1) Establishment realizes they can try keep Imran the individual out of next elections but not Imran the Narrative. Be it Panama or 9th May, the Establishment refuses to learn that it cannot force its narrative on the electorate.
2) It is best that… pic.twitter.com/vyu3lzaSiz

— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) May 31, 2023

His efforts to address sectarian violence earned him a place on Foreign Policy Magazine's 2013 list of three inspirational Pakistanis working against such conflicts.

Journalists Imran Riaz Khan, Aftab Iqbal and Sami Ibrahim, all considered supporters of PTI, were also taken into custody earlier this month.

Ibrahim and Iqbal have been released, however, the whereabouts of Imran Riaz Khan remain undisclosed to date.

Responding to the development today, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah has instructed Inspector General Police (IGP) to submit a report of Nasir's disappearance.

The IGP has also been ordered to take all necessary steps to ensure the activist's earliest possible recovery.