Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Human Right activist Parveen Rehman remembered by her colleagues, human rights activists and her relatives here on Tuesday.

The event of documentary film screening on the life of Director Orangi Pilot Project, late Parveen Rehman with the title “The Rebel optimist” and to discuss her contribution was held at National Press Club.

During the discussion sister of late Rehman, Aquila Ismail said that her family, friends and followers of Rehman will not give up struggle against injustice in the society. “Whenever we would feel the need for the demonstrations, her friends and follower would participate in large number”, she added.

She praised the role of media for highlighting and raising their voice against the murder of Rehman.

Kamran Shaikh, Lawyer of Late Parveen Rehman case in Supreme Court said that she was murdered on 13th March, 2013 and on very next day DIG West Karachi claimed that her killer Qari Bilal, belonged to Taliban was killed in an operation. Even Sindh Government shelved the case within a week.

On which Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) brought the case of her killing to Supreme Court. He said police was not interested to investigate the case in befitting manner. But after of new IG A.D Khawaja took the charge, he nominated accused Rahim Sawati’s son and then, he himself was arrested.

Shaikh said that though Sawati in his confessional statement accepted his involvement in murder of Parveen Rehman. But, actually it seems that master-mind was any other big fish.

Karamat Ali, Executive Director, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILLER) said that Ms Rehman was an icon for the organizations working for human rights. She faced a lot of pressure but did not compromise on her principles and right of the poor people. It was her dream that every Pakistani would have his own home.

Rabia Hadi and Fatima Atif from End of Violence against Women and Girls also spoke on her contributions for the wellbeing of the society.

Earlier, documentary has been screened in which Ms Rehman’s struggle and achievement of her life was highlighted.