HRCP lashes out at govt over doctors’ killing | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

HRCP lashes out at govt over doctors’ killing

KARACHI – The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the targeted killing of another doctor in Karachi and termed it as extremely distressing and alarming.

Ghazi Salahuddin, vice chairperson, HRCP, Sindh Chapter, stated that saying this has happened against the backdrop of rising sectarian tensions in the City.

It has to be noted that Dr Zahid Hussain, who was gunned down outside his clinic in Landhi by unknown assailants riding a motorcycle. He was the 85th doctor killed in Karachi since 1990.

It is really dreadful that this killing has taken place in the wake of assurances by the authorities that repetition of such heinous crime would not be allowed.

There have been demonstrations and meetings earlier in the month, held by the Pakistan Medical Association, in collaboration with civil society organisations to press upon the government to take urgent measures to arrest the assailants involved in this horrifying trend of targeting doctors, mostly on sectarian basis.

This concern was prompted by some recent events including attacks in which a number of doctors were severely injured.

The HRCP is also concerned that the overall law and order situation in Karachi is continuing to worsen. On June 15, 2010, the HRCP had sent a letter to the Home Secretary of the government of Pakistan to draw government’s attention towards such matters as the gang war in Lyari, displacement of persons from the area, targeted killings and incidents of violent crimes in Karachi.

The situation in Karachi has become so critical that it demands serious attention on the part of the provincial as well as federal authorities.
Source: The Nation
Date:6/19/2010