KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the killing of prominent rights activist Sabeen Mahmud who was shot dead minutes after she hosted a seminar on abuses in Balochistan. The prime minister also extended condolences to the bereaved family of Sabeen Mahmud. The prime minister who is in the United Kingdom on a visit asked concerned authorities to investigate the incident and submit him a report, said a statement from the PM Media office. Police said Sabeen, who runs The Second Floor, a cafe in Karachi that organises debates and art events, was killed late Friday when gunmen attacked her car as she departed with her mother from the venue in the Defence area. Mama Abdul Qadeer, a prominent Baloch rights activist and a speaker at the seminar, told AFP Sabeen had received threats before the event. The United States strongly condemned murder of Sabeen Mahmud, stating that Sabeen was a courageous voice of the Pakistani people and her death represents a great loss. Acting President Mian Raza Rabbani, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid and Women Action Forum also condemned the murder of the rights activist. Raza Rabbani directed the chief minister Sindh to submit a report on the brutal murder immediately and arrest the culprits within 72 hours. The acting president also directed the authorities concerned to ensure provision of best medical treatment to the mother of Sabeen Mahmud. He stated that this was an attack on freedom of speech and expression and nothing could justify this inhuman killing. Pervaiz Rashid said Sabeen’s struggle was establishment of a society based on justice. The minister said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb in Fata and an operation clean up in Karachi have been launched to eliminate evil forces depriving the nation of the assets like Sabeen. The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) also expresses its deep and heartfelt grief at the target killing of Sabeen Mahmud. WAF is outraged at yet another target killing of a brave and courageous human rights defender in Pakistan. WAF strongly condemns the dastardly, cowardly act. “We express our deepest sympathies with Sabeen’s mother, who was shot and wounded in the same incident, and is hospitalised. We pray for her early recovery, the forum said in a press release. WAF strongly condemns the law enforcing authorities for failing to .protect Sabeen, who had informed them of the threats she had been receiving. Sabeen Mahmud was a strong supporter of WAF, through her ‘PeaceNiche’ at T2F. Her alleged ‘crime’ was that she gave people the opportunity to think, she provided space for dialogue and human interaction; she opened their eyes to political issues, to music, art, other forms of culture, to political and human rights. She helped promote secular, progressive and rational thought. She encouraged intellectual discussion and academic debate, versus the violent alternative. She was an inspiration to countless activists, and a role model for the younger generation who flocked to T2F. For all this, and for her brave activism, her voice, like that of so many others, has been brutally silenced. Malala Yousafzai also condemned the killing of Sabeen Mahmud. In a statement she said: “I condemn the tragic killing of a Pakistani hero, courageous human rights activist Sabeen Mahmud. My heart goes out to Sabeen’s family and friends. I wish Sabeen’s mother a speedy recovery from her wounds. I call on authorities to arrest the perpetrators of this crime and to protect Pakistan’s human rights and peace activists, especially those facing death threats. Rest in peace, Sabeen.”
