Protest held against Karachi killings

ISLAMABAD: A group of citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, joined by Insani Haqooq Itehad (IHI) and senior citizens, workers of various political parties, gathered outside the National Press Club, Islamabad, to condemn the brutal and incessant target killings in Karachi.

The participants said that the situation of Karachi need all the nation to stand up and say `ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' - `WE CAN NOT BEAR IT ANY MORE'; `IF WE LET IT GO ON, THEN WE ARE NO MORE'.

The feared that if the violence in Karachi was not stopped, it will spread to other areas of Pakistan - which means that tomorrow the whole Pakistan will become what Karachi is today, if didn't stand up and unite to bring peace.

The participants demanded the government that it shall feel the heat of its responsibility and immediately STOP the target killing in Karachi. The human rights activist and organizations also mobilized their friends and organizations in Karachi to organize a similar protest. The citizens of Karachi and human rights organizations have planned to hold a wide protest in Karachi tomorrow i.e. on August 20, 2011.

The protest demonstration was addressed by Simi Kamal, a human rights activist from Aurat Foundation, Anis Haroon, Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), Dr Rakhshanda Perveen (Creative Anger), Anbreen Ajaib (Coordinator Insani Haqooq Itehad), Dr Farzana Bari, Mazhar Ali (a senior citizen) and renowned human rights activist Jahangir Akhtar (who is going on hunger strike till death from 12th September for `end of corruption in Pakistan', and `Cut in military budget').

Simi Kamal, Alya Mirza and Anis Haroon, in their address to the participants said that this is just the beginning of the `protest for peace' and they would continue this in coming days. Wasim Wagha, Member Insani Haqooq Itehad (IHI), while giving some details of the future strategy said that on Monday next, the group would organized a `candle light vigil' after the Iftar times.