Islamabad, January 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights which met here at Parliament House on Monday reviewed progress in several recent incidents of murder, Kidnapping and target killing in various parts of the country.
The Committee took up the cases of the killing of Nazim Jokhio in Thatta (Sindh), target killing of a media person and social activist in Malakand (KP), the alleged target killing of social activist Sheeba Gul and her father in Malakand (KP) by land grabbers, the alleged murder of an innocent woman Rabia in Swabi (KP), alleged kidnapping of two university students in Balochistan and target killing of Sikh Hakeem Sardar Satnam Singh. Due to some official engagement of the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Walid Iqbal, the Chair was taken over by Senator Tahir Bizinjo.
At the outset of the meeting, the committee showed intent to visit Adyala and Bakhar Jail soon to find out the condition in these penitentiaries. While talking out the Nazim Jokhio murder case, the mover, Senator Saifullah Abro apprised the committee that initially, Afzal Jokhio (brother of Nazim Jokhio) had nominated MPA Awais and MNA Jam Abdul Karim for being involved in the murder of the 27-year-old victim, who had earned the ire of the influential when tried to prevent their guests from hunting in Thatta district.
The committee members expressed displeasure over the non-participation of IG Sindh in the meeting. He also informed that Nazim’s widow was receiving threats from the opponents and requested to pen a letter for ensuring the protection of the widow.
Senator Mushtaq was of the view that the state should come forward and become a plaintiff in this case and urged not to go for any compensation with the felons in this case. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed while expressing serious reservations said “What happening in Sindh police is an eye-opener”. He also called for detailed discussion in the house on cases of torture, kidnapping, target killing and other human rights issues.
The representative of Sindh Police acquainted that the Challans had been issued to MNA Jam Abdul Karim and MPA Awais. They also informed that Nazim’s brother, a plaintiff had stepped back from the case. Minister of Human Rights, Sherry Mazari lamented that if MNA Jam Abdul Karim fled to Dubai then he can also be brought back through Interpol.
After detailed deliberation that lasted for more than 70mins, the committee decided to summon IG Sindh police in the next meeting. It was also directed to give protection to the widow of Nazim Jokhio and the formation of the fact-finding committee to probe the matter.
Senator Mushtaq, who participated as a mover in the committee also highlighted the targeted killing of social worker and media person, Muhammad Zada in Malakand. He informed that the victim had a reputation for speaking out against social evils and the drug mafia in Malakand Division.
He was a rising voice against drugs, especially the Ice drug dealers in the Malakand division. The DIG KP observed that the murder cases in Malakand do not fall under his jurisdiction. The commissioner has the sole authority in Malakand, he underlined.
After talking out the murder cases that took place in Malakand Division, the committee expressed its desire to call the Commissioner of Malakand in the next meeting. Later on, agenda items related to the targeted killing of Muhammad Zada, Ms Sheeba Gul and the murder of Rabia alias Javeria were deferred after due deliberation till the next meeting.
The matter related to the kidnapping of two students from Balochistan University also came under discussion in the committee meeting. SSP Operation Quetta informed that as per their record the students had not gone out of the campus and their bikes were parked inside the hostel.
There was no electricity and camera back up the time they went missing. A committee comprising of Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to look into the matter.
The Senators including Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, Gurdeep Singh, seeme Ezdi, Falak Naz, Prof. Dr Mehr Taj Roghani and senior officials from the Ministry of Human Rights, led by Dr Mazari and representative of police from Sindh, Balochistan and KP attended the meeting. Senator Fida Muhammad, Senator Saif Ullah Abro and Senator Mushtaq Ahmad also showed up as movers.
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