FIR lodged as civil society protests against Jibran Nasir's abduction

The renowned lawyer and activist was kidnapped in Karachi late Thursday night when he was returning home with his wife

KARACHI:

An FIR was lodged at the Clifton Police Station of Karachi’s South district on Friday against the ‘abduction’ of renowned rights' activist and lawyer, advocate Jibran Nasir.

Sharing the FIR copy on his twitter account, spokesperson of the Sindh government and the Advisor for Law, Barrister Murtaza Wahab said, “The FIR has been registered in the case of Jibaran Nasir and efforts are being made to trace his whereabouts and ensure his safe return.”

The FIR has been lodged against unidentified persons based on a report from his wife Mansha Pasha.

Also read Activist Jibran Nasir ‘abducted’ in Karachi, says wife

The complainant claims that she was heading home Thursday night after having dinner with her husband. “A group of 10 to 15 armed men in a Vigo approached us, forced my husband out of the car, and abducted him. I called the 15 Madadgar police right away after the incident,” the FIR quoted her as saying.

Civil society protests

On the call of the Action Committee, social, political, and human rights activists gathered outside the Karachi Press Club and demanded the immediate and safe release of Nasir.

The participants chanted slogans against the ‘abduction’ of Nasir, who was ‘abducted’ by unknown men near his house late Thursday night when he was returning home along with his wife.

The speakers condemned frequent abductions of human right activists and lawyers.

“We do not beg from the state but it is the responsibility of the state to provide protection to the citizens,” commented Qurat Mirza. “The state should not behave like this,” she added, demanding Nasir’s safe and immediate release.

Human rights activist Anees Haroon said that 15 armed persons have kidnapped Nasir in front of his wife. “Do you think you can silence voices?” she questioned. “No. You cannot.”

Haroon demanded the government to arrest those who abducted Nasir without any reason.

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Sheema Kirmani, one of the organisers of the Aurat March, said that “it is not a democratic step to abduct anyone without a reason".

Nasir’s cousin, Talha Rehman, said that Nasir in most of the cases struggled for the poor and helpless people. “He raised voice for Naqeebul lah Mehsud, Nazim Jokhio, and many others,” he said.

“We do not know who has kidnapped him. We need protection,” he added.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s Qazi Khizer said that everyone knows who the ‘unknown persons’ are. “We do not demand the state to release him but warn it not to behave like this.”

The organisers said that Nasir’s wife wanted to join the protest but was unable to come because of her health.