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Arbitrary Arrest, Torture and Disappearance of Dr. Safdar Sarki and Khadim Soomro London, February 24th, 2006 : World Sindhi Congress (WSC) strongly condemns arbitrary arrest of Dr Safdar Sarki, the current General Secretary of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz and former Chairman of WSC, and Khadim Soomro who is a Sindhi activist and author of several historic books, by the Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. Dr Safdar Sarki was severely beaten and tortured for about an hour in his flat in Karachi at about 3 am local time before he and Mr. Khadim Soomro were taken blindfolded to an unknown location. All his belongings including his laptop, driving licence, US passport, money and valuables were confiscated by the agency personnel. The witnesses saw, Dr. Sarki bleeding heavily before being bundled into an unmarked vehicle. The people of Sindh have been witnessing the state terrorism and these gross violations of human rights by the Pakisan’s military regime for decades. In last couple of years alone scores of Sindhi political activists have been arrested, abducted, tortured and murdered by the Pakistan’s military establishment. One of these, Samiullah Kalhoro a senior leader of Jeay Sindh Mutida Muhaz, was tortured till death by the agencies in March 2005. WSC strongly demands from the Pakistan’s military regime to immediately release Dr Safdar Sarki, Mr Khadim Soomro and all other Sindhi as well as Baluch political activists whom they have either arrested or abducted. World Sindhi Congress appeals to the international community to influence Pakistan to stop this blatant violation of human rights and release Dr Sarki and Mr. Soomro. About the World Sindhi Congress (WSC) is one of the most prominent human rights advocacy organizations for Sindh and Sindhis. The main objective of WSC is to create a better understanding among the international community about the persecuted status of Sindhis in Pakistan and about Sindhi people’s struggles for their human rights, including the right of self-determination. WSC is a registered company in England and Wales, and California, USA, organzied to carry out non-profit activities only. For more information, visit http://www.worldsindhicongress.org |