The administration of the Lahore Press Club (LPC) on Friday stopped lawyer Awais Sheikh from launching his book at its premises.
The book, Sarabjit Singh, A Case of Mistaken Identity, published by an Indian press, highlights the ‘faults’ in investigation and trial of Sarabjit Singh. Singh, an Indian, has been convicted of terrorism and sentenced to hanging.
Sheikh said he had obtained a reservation in the hall at the LPC a month ago. He said he had paid Rs5,000 as an advance. The remainder, Rs15,000, was to be paid after the launch.
However, Sheikh and his guests, including lawyer Hamid Khan, were stopped at the main entrance of the press club on Friday.
LPC Secretary Zulfiqar Ali Mehtoo cited security concerns as the reason behind the cancellation. He said he could not put members’ lives at risk
Sheikh, however, said this was a conspiracy to stop the ceremony. The lawyer blamed “intelligence agencies”. He said they were trying to keep the public ignorant about the case. Singh, he maintained, was innocent.
Sheikh told The Express Tribune he had been told by the manager of the press club on Thursday that the hall was no longer available. The lawyer said he had protested the decision. Sheikh said he had called LPC president, Arshad Ansari and Secretary Zulfiqar Mehtoo but none of them took his call. He said later Mehtoo called him and assured him that he would not be stopped from holding the launch. Sheikh added that the manager again contacted him on Friday at 11am to tell him that he would not be allowed to enter the premises.
He condemned the administration for putting up a notice that said the lawyer himself had postponed the launch.
The lawyer said he had torn down the notice. He said the security guards had misbehaved with him.
Sheikh said his wife had received a threatening letter from someone who claimed to be a member of a jihadi group. He said the letter had threatened his family in the event of the book’s launch.
The lawyer said he had made no alternative plans. He added that his wife was frightened and had asked him not to hold the launch.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.