Journeys to democracy

A young man, bleeding apparently due to gunshot wounds, runs for his life after “unknown assailants” opened fire at a rally in Karachi on May 22, 2012. Photo: Faysal Mujeeb/Whitestar

The violence in Karachi on May 22, 2012 that killed 11 people reminded many people of the firing that claimed nearly fifty lives on May 12, 2007 (about which I wrote ‘Eyewitness Karachi‘, originally published in The News on Sunday). Below, a statement from Women’s Action Forum (WAF) about the recent bloodshed:

Women’s Action Forum Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad is appalled that a peaceful demonstration against the division of Sindh on May 22, 2012 was violently attacked, resulting in the tragic death of at least 11 people, including two friends and comrades. We strongly condemn the use of force under any circumstances and particularly when it is used to subdue the democratic rights of the people to express their sentiments and political positions.

WAF offers its profound condolences to the family of Yasmeen Paleejo and Sindiani Tehreek for the tragic death of Yasmeen and offers condolences to the family of Usman Baluch whose niece was also killed. We will miss both of them not only in our political struggle but for the personal strength that their activism gave to all of us. WAF demands arrest of culprits and compensation for victims’ families.

The possibility of the ‘division’ of Sindh has been often been used with sinister intent over the last several decades to further the interests of a particular community and has often been supported by the ‘hidden’ hand of those who have frequently brought the nation on the brink of destruction. WAF stands with the people of Sindh and does not accept the division of Sindh on ethnic or administrative lines no matter what the rationale since this goes goes against very fabric and spirit of Sindh.

Filed under: Pakistan | Tagged: karachi, may 22 2012, peace rally, violence, WAF |