LAHORE - The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has demanded a transparent inquiry into the abduction and murder of an MQM activist in Karachi and also called for probing other complaints by the party of alleged extra-judicial killing and illegal detention of its workers.
In a press statement issued on Monday, HRCP said the MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) has repeatedly complained about illegal arrests, detention and extra-judicial killings of its workers and supporters in Karachi because of their political affiliation. The party has accused law enforcement personnel of such excesses, particularly after the commencement of a targeted operation in Karachi since August last year.
“These are extremely serious charges and HRCP always hopes and expects that such charges anywhere in Pakistan would be investigated to the fullest without the need for the authorities to be constantly implored to do so.”
It said the rights organisation is particularly concerned at the killing of Salman Nooruddin, said to be an MQM worker, who was picked up allegedly by law enforcement personnel on February 3. His nephew was also detained along with him but was later freed. Salman’s body was found dumped in Karachi’s Shah Latif Town the following day. The body reportedly showed marks of severe torture, which was also noted in the post mortem report.
“HRCP calls upon the government and particularly the Sindh chief minister to ensure an early judicial probe into Salman’s killing and in all other cases where illegal detention, disappearance or extra-judicial killing of individuals has been alleged on account of political affiliation.”