Rights activists and lawyers’ associations on Thursday condemned the killing of advocate Rashid Rehman and blamed the government for failing to provide security to rights activists, lawyers and journalists.
Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Ramazan Chaudhry in a statement said Rehman had informed the government about threats to his life but the government did not provide him protection.
He condemned the killing and the “irresponsible attitude” of the government. He announced boycott of courts across the country on May 9 to protest the killing.
Lahore High Court Bar Association and Lahore Bar Association in separate statements issued on Thursday said lawyers were being attacked as a result of an organised conspiracy against them.
LHCBA President Shafqat Mahmood Chohan said lawyers felt insecure at the courts as well as elsewhere.
He said Rehman had received several threats but the government had not provided him security. He said the government should ensure protection of lawyers.
LBA President Chaudhary Ishtiaq in a statement also condemned the killing. He demanded arrest of the murderers.
He said the government should pay adequate compensation to Rehman’s family.
Human rights activist Munawar Shahid, who has taken refuge in Germany after death threats, said Rehman was under threat because he had taken up the blasphemy case against Professor Junaid Hafeez.
He said no one, including journalists, rights activists and lawyers, was safe in Pakistan.
Awais Sheikh, a Lahore-based lawyer, who has taken refuge in Sweden said it was very tragic that an educated and courageous man who had been a staunch supporter of democracy, rule of law and justice, had been killed.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2014.