PM urged to let probe be done on charges against Abdus Samad

ISLAMABAD: Renowned social worker and artist Faryal Ali Gohar has written a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan expressing her concern over the prime minister’s reservation on the arrest of Director Archeology and Museum Peshawar Dr Abdus Samad.

“I write to you with urgency regarding the arrest of the director Archaeology and Museums. I believe that a campaign to support this person has been launched aggressively by persons who have your ear, as well as vested interests in protecting the accused,” she stated in a letter written to prime minister.

Faryal, while confirming The News about her letter to premier urging him to take a step back and let the institution, investigating the charges leveled against the accused, complete the enquiry. “The issues are manifold, and if you are truly committed to bringing positive change, if you believe in building institutions instead of damaging them, if you know that investigative officers put their lives on the line to uncover the truth, then please do not be led by those in whom you may have mistakenly reposed your trust,” she stated in her letter to prime minister.

She stated in her letter that, “For when the light shines and darkness is dispelled, then these very same people who whisper in your ear shall stand exposed for the crime of selling and destroying our heritage. I, as a patriotic citizen of this country, and as a daughter of the soil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will stand up for the truth, and shall stand with those who have the courage to reveal it. Please show us that you are indeed a true leader who wishes to break the stranglehold of corruption and the power that is exercised within government to exercise malice.

In the words of Hazrat Ali (RA): "The most complete gift of God is a life based on knowledge". Let the able experts working with the concerned institution gather that knowledge. Give the institution credit for committing itself to the very cause you fought for. Do not take away the credibility of the officers who are collecting evidence as I write this,” she stated in her letter.

Faryal said as the former advisor to the Ministry of Tourism, Archaeology and Museums, KP, she have immense faith in the academics of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa whose expertise can match the finest in the world. “And if you doubt the veracity of their findings, have the generosity to invite international experts in antiquities to re-examine the evidence,” she stated in her letter.

She concluded the letter with stating that, “I close by daring to remind you that holding a doctoral degree does not exempt one from investigation into malpractice. Crime and academic achievement are not mutually exclusive. If this was the case then several vice chancellors would not have been investigated either. Please allow the investigation to bring forth the truth. You will be surprised by the findings, for they shall hold up a mirror to the faceless traitors who masquerade as patriots while selling our heritage to the highest bidder.