Sabeen’s murderers to be caught soon: police

Karachi
Police say that they have made considerable headway in the murder case of Sabeen Mahmud, the founder and director of T2F, a community space for open dialogue, and PeaceNiche, a non-governmental organisation.
Mahmud was gunned down a few yards away from T2F in Defence Phase II Extension a few days ago when she was returning home after organising a debate on the issue of Balochistan there. Her mother had also suffered bullet injuries in the attack.
Official sources said the attackers could not be identified in the CCTV footage of the attack as it only showed them fleeing with their faces away from the camera.
DIG South Jamil Ahmed said he had visited the crime scene along with the members of his investigation team and met with the representatives of T2F.
“We also contacted the residents of the area where the attack took place so that some useful information could be obtained,” he added.
The DIG said they had hit upon some useful leads that would help police arrest the killers soon.
Mahmud’s autopsy report shows that she had suffered bullet wounds to her chin, neck and shoulders.
Besides, police also say that they will soon be able to arrest the perpetrators of the attack on Preedy SHO Ijaz Ali Khwaja in which the policeman was killed and the one on US Citizen Debra Lobo in Ferozeabad that left her injured.
Following these three high-profile cases in April, three probing teams were formed and DIGs concerned were appointed as their heads.
IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali had called a meeting at his office and reviewed the progress in investigation of these cases.
The participants of the meeting were informed that geo-fencing had been conducted in the three cases and evidence collected so far suggested the involvement of banned outfits.
The weapons used in these attacks were 9mm pistols.
GEO NEWs adds: There has been no headway in the murder investigation of Sabeen Mahmud who was gunned down by unknown armed assailants in DHA on April 24.
According to investigators, forensic tests of Sabeen’s vehicle and bullet casings have been conducted after her murder case was lodged.
They said the weapon used in the murder had not been previously used and the bullet casings did not match any record.
A request has been sent for Mahmud’s mobile phone call data record, while geo-fencing will also be conducted.

Protest on April 30th
The Concerned Citizens for Peace said that Karachi’s citizens would protest on April 30 against the assasination of Sabeen Mahmud.
In a joint statement, it said a large number of concerned citizens had condemned her murder and decided to hold a protest at the Karachi Press Club.
The statement says: “We the concerned citizens for peace held a meeting at the Karachi Press Club on 28th April to protest the assassination of Sabeen Mahmud, a champion for love, peace and free speech.
“Sabeen was brutally gunned down on the evening of April 24th soon after she had hosted a talk titled ‘Unsilencing Balochistan: Take 2’.
“The people demand justice for Sabeen and that her killers be arrested and brought to trial.
“The participants at the meeting also decided on holding a series of protests, first of which will be held on 30th April outside Karachi Press Club at 4 pm.
“A series of protests will take place every evening from 8-9 pm at Teen Talwar.
“We appeal to all those who believe in justice and peace and are concerned about the violence in the city to participate in large numbers!”