Karachi: Ali Raza Brohi, 24, a student at Sindh University, was abducted on Friday, May 17, 2024, from Jamshoro. Last month, in April, two more young Sindhis, Bashir Shar, and Darya Khan Burhmani were also abducted.
Raza was on his way to the university to attend his semester exams, which were scheduled in two days when security agencies and the police abducted him. He had been continuously threatened by agencies, and more than five First Information Reports (FIRs) had been registered against him in the fabricated cases.
Raza is the second child of his mother, and his father died some years ago. Now, his mother and his two siblings, a sister and a brother, are worried about his life. The police keep denying their involvement in his abduction. On the other hand, no political party or even human rights organization has approached the victim’s family.
Raza’s friend, Asad Ali shared that Raza had been warned by the agencies not to attend a seminar on Student Politics, or else he would face consequences. The Rise News possesses a screenshot of messages in which Raza was explaining the threats he had received on his phone number.
Shahzad Brohi, the youngest brother of Raza, told The Rise News that his brother had been receiving threats and warnings about not speaking about student politics. Raza was affiliated with the Arisar-Political party, which focuses mostly on student politics and fundamental human rights.
Even when his brother celebrated Sindhi Cultural Day, a treason case was lodged against him. However, Raza firmly believed that speaking about fundamental rights or student politics was not a serious crime and did not pay attention to such threats, Shahzad said.
The Police denied their involvement in Raza’s abduction
Shahzad raised doubts over the police’s denial of their involvement. Further added that on the way to the university, a police officer identified his brother and handed him over to people in Vigo vehicles. “How could they possibly deny their involvement?” he asked.
Asad recounted that when Raza was returning from his hearing in a fake case from Mehr City, he was talking to his friend on the phone. Raza informed him that he had observed police vehicles and Vigo at Toll Plaza, indicating a potential risk of abduction. He instructed his friend that if his cell phone were to switch off within five minutes, it should be understood that he had been abducted by agencies.
Asad expressed no surprise at the police’s denial, noting that this was how the state consistently denied cases of enforced disappearances.
Sasui Lohar, Human Rights Activist and Leader of The Voice of Missing Persons of Sindh shared that Raza’s biometric was taken and confirmed to match his identity before he was handed over to the agencies, she said.
She added, “Everyone present at the spot was an eyewitness. Their lies cannot work.”
Sindhi Students are Targeted and Harassed
Abdul Wahab Baloch, Deputy Organizer of the Baloch Yekjehti Committee Karachi, expressed disappointment over the abduction of Sindhi students. He remarked that following the abduction of Baloch students, such inhumane practices are now being applied to Sindhi students as well. This, he believes, indicates that the state is fearful of the strength and unity of students.
Asad encapsulated that during his studies at Agricultural University, students were not allowed to sit in a groups of more than five students. He mentioned that security agencies would come to harass students if they did so. Asad also noticed that even if students were merely laughing, rangers would look at them with warning glances. Furthermore, he stated a notice, issued by a rangers’ officer, was placed in the university, stating that no picture should be taken on campus.
“Students have been scrutinized by security agencies at universities regardless of Agricultural University or Sindh University,” he said.
Asad continued by explaining that if students celebrate Sindhi Cultural Day or organize bookstalls in universities, they face harassment. He mentioned that in Raza’s case, treason charges were filed against students for such activities. Asad further added that students are unable to protest against the lack of facilities in hostels because ranger officers would come and take their pictures.
Sasui is of the view that the state does not want Sindhis to speak out about fundamental rights. If they do, they will be killed or abducted.
Joint Movement across Pakistan against Enforced Disappearances Needed
Abdul Wahab suggested that the time had come to gather all voices that were working on enforced disappearances. He proposed that such a joint movement could exert pressure on the state to address enforced disappearances more seriously.
“When our grief is the same, why platforms are divided,” he asked.
Sasui shared the same point of view and encouraged everyone to come together and support each other. She suggested that across Pakistan, families of missing persons should lead a joint movement against enforced disappearances.
Shahzad asks why, when his brother was raising his voice for everyone, there are so few voices speaking out now that his brother has been abducted.
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