Members of civil society in Pakistan, individuals, citizens, organisations, friends and well-wishers Saturday organised a Twitter campaign in solidarity with missing Pakistani peace activist Raza Mahmood Khan.
Raza Mahmood Khan has been missing since December 2, 2017. He was “picked up” from him rented home in Lahore by unidentified suspects. Raza was last seen at a public discussion organised at Lowkey-Lokai in the aftermath of the Faizabad protest by religious hardliners.
The Lahore High Court had disposed of Raza’s case after having confirmed that alternative investigation agencies such as Commission of Enforced Disappearances were conducting investigation to recover Raza Khan. It has now been six months since Raza disappeared.
His case is certainly not the only one in the rapidly escalating trend of enforced disappearances in Pakistan to curb free speech, silence critics of the state and its institutions. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement has led a revolutionary and historical movement against extrajudicial killings and abductions of this ethnic community. The movement is gaining movement under the leadership of activist Manzoor Pashteen. Meanwhile, protests have also intensified by civil society members and human rights organisations in Sindh against “enforced disappearances”.
Raza’s family, friends and well-wishers deeply aggrieved at his prolonged disappearance turned to social media once again to raise their voice for not only missing peace activist Raza Khan, but all other missing persons. On Twitter, many human rights defenders, activists, journalists, peace educators, representatives of political parties, and friends of Raza and other missing persons demanded the release of all missing persons with #FindRaza and #ReleaseMissingPersons
Usman Khan writes, “Raza is an idea, a thought, a progressive innovation, a need. His work for peace is not an ordinary theory, instead a living example of service of humanity. Let’s bring him back. Speak together to #FindRaza.”
Raza Ahmad Rumi chimed in, “Activism for #peace between #India & #Pakistan is not a crime. Wanting a different future for #youth is not a sin. Informed & conscientious citizenry is the backbone of a robust society. Why has #RazaKhan gone missing? #FindRaza.”
M Jibran Nasir urged citizens concerned to spare a moment in solidarity with friends and families of all missing person. He tweeted: “#FindRaza #ReleaseMissingPersons Please help us tonight 10:00 PM PST by tweeting or posting on social media. Your 1 minute can be a ray of hope 4 friends and families of missing persons.”
Flybeyound? said, “Peace lovers around Globe are requested please raise your voice for #Raza and all other #Missingpersons. Just take one minute from your busy schedule do one tweet by using #FindRaza.Thank you in advance #FindRaza #SaveBalochMissingPersons #SavePashtuns #SaveBSOLeaders #SaveSindhi.”
Aisha Amir Ahmad tweeted: “6 months ago, Raza disappeared. He has not been produced in court. The court has handed it off to the Commission on Enforced Disappearances. Who
will #FindRaza? Who will #BringBackRaza? #ReleaseMissingPersons, bring them to trial if you believe them to be criminals. #NotonMyWatch.”
Published in Daily Times, June 4th 2018.
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