Parveen Rehman's crime was to fight on behalf of some of the poorest citizens in our country. PHOTO: FILE
Parveen Rehman worked as director of the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP), serving one of the largest slum communities in the world, and for this work she was murdered in cold blood. Her crime, punishable by a drive-by shooting, was to fight on behalf of some of the poorest citizens in our country against those who would illegally grab their land. She built the essentials of urban living, like drainage, and sought to bring dignity to the lives of those who had been abandoned by the state. Her selfless, tireless work was rewarded not by government awards but by bullets. This is the ultimate fate awaiting those who dare take on the powerful.
It is not known yet who killed Ms Rehman but the nature of the shooting suggests that she was specifically targeted, most probably because of her work. One would like to suggest that the police and the government should immediately take action and find the murderers of one of Karachi’s, and indeed Pakistan’s, most valuable citizens but we have to be realistic here. There are elements in just about every political party in the city which are involved in the land-grabbing business, either by directly seizing land or through a willingness to accept money and patronage from the land mafia. Expecting those responsible for creating the conditions in which Ms Rehman could be killed to solve her murder is unrealistic. Instead, we are likely to get a false show of anger and determination, followed by a few perfunctory arrests before the case is forgotten and mothballed.
Ms Rehman deserved better but it seems that in Karachi, no one gets what they deserve. Her killers — both those who pulled the trigger and those who ordered the hit — can rest easy knowing that they will be protected. Meanwhile, there is no one around to guard those who dedicate their lives to public service — a career that is becoming immensely controversial and dangerous in the country. The work of the OPP should continue but now that everyone in the organisation will live in fear, its work may be affected. The reverberations of Parveen Rehman’s murder will continue to be felt for a long time.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS (15)
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A great woman who lived by example. If those in power have a modicum of conscience they should apprehend the guilty ones and arrange for a quick trial. The children will suffer of course.
An apt tribute to the brave woman from Pakistan who was working for uplifting poor and the down-trodden. I sincerely hope that some brave persons continue her good work and the state should come forward to provide adequate protection to them and also punish those who carried out this cold blooded murder.
undoubtedly, she was a brave,intrepid and hardworking lady, who worked with great courage and unending determinition, for the needy and poor people. Its quite heartening to observe that in our country, one finds no due respect to be given to these towering personalities, instead people working with utmost honesty and sincerity are being murdedred and opperesed with brutal force. sad condition of present time will contiue unless we educate our nation to stand against tyranny and illegal force.
The lady polio workers, Malala Yousufanzi and now this lady. It seems women of Pakistan are far far more concerned about the society - and are willing to pay with their blood - for its betterment. That, even as the men discuss big and important issues such as Afghanistan endgame, strategic depth and strategic assets. Pakistan is truly blessed to have these brave women, I just hope that more of them don't fall pray to the blood-lust.
Too sad to know that these pricks can even think of killing such a humle person and a diehard social worker like her. I salute her for her services for this country. May ALLAH rest her soul in peace. Ameen
@Syed:
"Why are we so bad? Why don’t we fear God?"
You don't have to fear god to be good. You just have to be good.
On the contrary Atheists tend to be better human beings than those who follow religion.
All a direct result of meddling in Kashmir.
All Pakistanis know that Pakistan is going to suffer worse.
may Allah have mercy on us and bring forth those she has inspired from those who are so angered. Your work is done Appa, but so much remains.. .I pray we meet again.. in better company.. .
No parliament resolution for this lady eh? Such things are r eserved only for convicted terrorists it seems.
Rest in peace Ma'm. Hope God gives strength to her loved ones to bear the loss.
It seems no good deed goes unpunished whether it is Ms. Rehman's work for slum dwellers or the polio workers or red cross workers or Malala who was a role model and advocate for women's education in Swat or Salman Taseer who spoke up for poor Afia bibi or the Swedish missionary - your fate is an assassin's bullet. Malala is the only one who escaped death and I hope God gives her a long life. But in most cases there was not any major protest. Silent majority, the strategy of silence is well past it's sell by date. Speak up now - this maybe your last chance.
I dare the PPP, MQM or PML-N to hold a rally against her killing. Prove that you stand for education and hope. Anyone? Anything? That's what I thought.
Why are we so bad? Why don't we fear God? Don't we have to die one day and what will happen then?
Not a word in the Parliament of NA praising her. But they can pass UNANIMOUS resolution of Afzal Guru's body only, No leader of any political party nor any high ranking official attended her funeral.
Na Maloom afraad at it again. RIP to the brave lady.
While those who oppose land grabbing are murdered, the affluent elite celebrate the Malik Riaz's of this country who through their glossy PR are "nation building".