News
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Relatives of missing persons protest in Islamabad
* Protesters, led by Defence of Human Rights chairwoman, accuse intelligence agencies of kidnapping their relatives
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Relatives of missing persons on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration at the capital’s D-Chowk for the recovery of their missing relatives.
The protesters, who were being led by Defence of Human Rights Chairperson Amina Masood Janjua, said that they planned to continue their sit-in until late [Wednesday’s] night. A number of citizens and political leaders joined children, wives and the parents of missing people in their protest.
Carrying banners and placards, the protesters also marched on Jinnah Avenue and shouted slogans against security agencies and forces for “kidnapping and killing innocent people”.
Gen (r) Hameed Gul, former MNA Mian Aslam, Islamabad Bar Council President Syed Akbar Shah, MNA Marvi Memon and rights activist Dr Farzana Bari also attended the sit-in to express solidarity with the protesters.
Addressing the gathering, Amina Masood Janjua questioned the absence of top leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People’s Party.
“I have invited Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif and Munawwar Hassan of Jamaat-e-Islami but they are engaged in holding massive protest rallies to snub their political rivals for point- scoring. None of them is willing to stand for the core issue of missing persons.”
She said if Aitzaz Ahsan could become a counsel for the prime minister in a contempt of court case “why can’t he fight a case for hundreds of innocent missing persons”.
Janjua said the issue could not be over until parliamentarians and political party leaders support the protesters’ cause.
“If party leaders gather at D-Chowk and stage a single massive rally, the relatives of missing persons will meet their loved ones the next day. But no one will do this because it is a human issue and not a political one,” she added.
The protesters also expressed their concern over the poor health of missing persons. They said seven missing prisoners of Adiala Jail could hardly walk when they were produced in the Supreme Court the other day.
“Scenes of one prisoner limping and another carrying a urine bag along with him had moved everyone, but those responsible for all this misery seemed unmoved,” the protesters said, adding that the judiciary and government had failed to ensure the safe recovery of the missing persons.
A young man, who had come from Karachi, demanded the authorities concerned release his brother-in-law. He told the Online news agency that at least 11 families had come to be part of the protest.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk
Back to Top