Pakistan’s ‘enlightenment’ martyrs

Below is the original, unabridged version of the article published in The News, Jun 9, 2011, with the somewhat misleading heading Pakistan’s secular martyrs (not all those killed for defending the values discussed in the article were ‘secular’). Pakistan’s ‘enlightenment’ martyrs Beena Sarwar The murder of professor Saba Dashtiyari in Quetta last week, coming on the heels [...]

Campaign against the genocide of progressive Pakistanis

Modified from a post just sent to my yahoogroup: We need a campaign against the genocide of progressive Pakistani intellectuals and activists at the hands of those who have been distorting religion for political purposes, criminal and ethnic mafias. One or other of these elements is responsible for the murders of Salmaan Taseer, Shahbaz Bhatti, Naeem [...]

RIP Prof. Saba Dashtiyari… Tujh ko kitnon ka lahu chahi’ay ay arz-e-watan

The situation in Balochistan continues to be volatile. The latest victim of the violence and anarchy in Pakistan’s largest province is the well known Baloch rights activist and professor, Saba Dashtiyary, gunned down in Quetta on June 1, 2011.  Words are not enough to express outrage and grief at this continued genocide of Pakistan’s liberal, [...]

The real Pakistan: report on CFD’s inspiring signature campaign

Every step of the way, each individual who comes out in support of this cause faces the question: Is it safe? There is no certain answer to this question. Call it lucky that so far no event, vigil or protest has been targeted. The threat remains, but those participating continue to move forward with the firm belief that raising a voice, “doing something”, is the need of the hour.

Reference for Shahbaz Bhatti, Mar 20, 5.00 pm, Karachi

Citizens for Democracy Reference for Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti Date: 20th March, 2011 Time: 5:00 PM Venue: Karachi Press Club Shahbaz Bhatti was a man who ascribed to the vision of Jinnah, and was a strong believer of pluralism, freedom of religion and rule of law. With a few other citizens and government leaders, he founded [...]

Mass letter signing campaign TODAY, Sat. March 12, 2011, 11am-7pm

Say No to Violence & to a Denial of our Civil Rights Join CFD’s mass letter-writing campaign, for which people are gathering to add their signatures on letters addressed to the President of Pakistan, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Chief Ministers of all four provinces. ”We are demanding from those [...]

Pakistan: Not quite a ‘deathly silence’

Email to Gwynne Dyer, March 10, 2011: Dear Mr Dyer: Regarding your article ‘Deathly Silence Prevails in Pakistan’ published in several newspapers and reproduced by NewAgeIslam website  where I saw it – you make some valid comments but to say that there is a deathly silence is untrue and unfair. Many people in Pakistan have [...]

Protest: Shahbaz Bhatti murder, vigilante action, incitements to violence

Open letter to The President, Prime Minister, Interior Minister, Chief Justice, and heads of all political parties, Pakistan Protest & demand for action regarding Shahbaz Bhatti murder, vigilantism, and incitements to violence in Pakistan – signature campaign initiated by Citizens for Democracy. Deadline for endorsements: Monday March 7, midnight Pakistan time, after which signatures will be [...]

Murders most foul

Yesterday we heard the tragic news about the cold-blooded murder of human rights activist Naeem Sabir, HRCP coordinator in Khuzdar, Balochistan. We had yet to recover from that blow when assassins gunned down Federal Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, who was the only Christian member of the cabinet.