The Pakistan Civil Society Forum has organised a reference in memory of slain Rashid Rehman and thousands of male, female HR defenders took a part in the tribute reference held here at Multan Arts Council on Sunday.
Over 500 activists took a part in the reference, which played a key role in reducing terror threats in the city. All the participants took out a mammoth rally from Multan Arts Council to Kalima Chowk, chanting slogans: "No to terrorism; yes to peace", "Immediate arrest of culprits is ensured", "No to extremism" etc. The speakers and participants paid a tribute and salute to Rashid Rehman and said that he was gunned down because he was struggling for fair trial.
The speakers said that unfortunately a negative approach is being promoted in the country to punish blasphemy accuser out of court, which is killing the society. "Some people in the society believe no need of trial against blasphemy accusers." The speakers said the law is wrongly interpreted and misused. They criticised the attitude of judge leading blasphemy case trial who did not take a notice over serving life threats to Rashid Rehman by the prosecution.
The speakers and participants of the reference have demanded Chief Justice Tassaduq Jillani for taking notice on judges' attitude and inquired the matter that the judge had avoided taking threats seriously. They also asked Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for taking notice over police failure in following his orders to provide security to Rashid Rehman.
Speaking on the occasion, comrade Dr Lal Khan said the state has rotten it has failed to protect democracy and human rights defenders. He said Rashid Rehman was great humanist and committed person and he had always been engaged with oppressed people in South Punjab and contested cases without fee.
Dr Lal Khan said that he is proud to be a communist like Rashid Rehman as one of the man of commitment. He pledged for continuation of Rashid's mission until the system is not changed in the society. All the human rights defenders took out a mammoth rally at the end of reference, which had been started from Arts Council and it was culminated at Kalima Chowk. Those who spoke to pay homage to a rights activist are: Muhammad Tehseen, Nadeem Pasha, Dr Tanvir Gondal, Samina Nazir, Athar Hussain Bukhari, President High Court Bar, Ms Razia, Ghulam Mustafa, Rehana (DI Khan) Fr Naveed Akhtar, Anees Haroon, Haider Abbas Gardezi, Zia-ur-rehman and Danish Batool.