There is news about Perween Rahman's murder in Karachi last March 2013.  Perween's sister, Aquila Ismail, writes that there is a danger that Perween's death will be considered as just another of the some 2,500 murders that have taken place in Karachi this year, and will not be investigated or treated as anything special.  She and her colleagues have launched a campaign called "Justice for Perween Rahman" to ensure that her murder is investigated and that justice is done.

 

Here is Aquila's statement about the situation:  I am seeking justice for the assassination of my sister, Perween Rahman.  As an architect, social scientist and planner she worked for the inalienable rights of the poor to housing, land, water and education. She was killed, we believe by the extremist elements that have taken over Qasba and the adjoining areas. She was on her way home from her office in Orangi, Karachi. It is believed that she stepped on powerful toes while documenting informal settlements, and the illegal water supply business in the city. The extremists benefit from both

immensely. This documentation, the only one of its kind had the potential to lead to major changes in the manner in which development related to water supply, sanitation and housing is perceived and

carried out by the state. Please help me in my quest for accountability.  Please click  like on Justice for Perween Rahman page.

 

https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForPerweenRahman

 

As part of their campaign, they are asking all of us who knew and admired Perween to do two things:

 

1. SIGN THE PETITION:  Please sign the attached petition and e-mail the scanned copy to : fayyaz@irm.edu.pk

or send a hard copy to Fayyaz Baqar, House No. 25, Street 21, F-7/2, Islamabad - 44000, Pakistan

 

2. SEND LETTERS:  Please send letters to the three key government officials on the attached list, to show the courts that Perween's murder is not just a private tragedy for her family and friends, but a major loss for Asia and for humanity at large.  When we discussed this in the ACHR office, we had an idea that many of our friends in the region, who knew Perween personally and have been inspired over the years by her extraordinary work and dedication, may like to express their feelings about Perween's work and her death in their own way, in their own words, and send these letters to some key organizations in Pakistan, to add to the "Justice for Perween" campaign.  (addresses of these three officials attached + a list of key organizations in Pakistan to copy the letters to)

 

PLEASE BE QUICK!!!!

 

PLEASE SEND YOUR SIGNED PETITIONS and LETTERS within this week so they reach Pakistan before the first hearing in the Supreme Court [week of October 20th].

 

If you have any questions, please contact Perween's sister Ms. Aquila Ismail :

aquila.ismail@gmail.com

 

Or contact Mr. Fayyaz Baqir, who is coordinating the "Justice for Perween" campaign

fayyaz@irm.edu.pk

 

Thanks everyone for your help with this urgent task!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Asian Coalition for Housing Rights