Sindh: Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Monday announced the removal of Mir Iftikhar Lund as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s focal person on human rights in Sindh.
Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Lund has been accused of physically violated his employee, a driver, in April. Disturbing images of the hospitalized man soon began making rounds on social media. Yet, Lund was assigned the government position in July.
On Monday, Mazari tweeted that on “re-investigation and in the light of new evidence I have removed Iftikhar Lund as our focal person on human rights in Sindh. I also wish to express my regret over the earlier notification.”
Announcing the move on Twitter, Mazari said the appointment had been withdrawn “on re-investigation and in the light of new evidence.”
She did not specify what new evidence she had received.
On re-investigation and in the light of new evidence I have removed Iftikhar Lund as our focal person on human rights in Sindh. I also wish to express my regret over the earlier notification. pic.twitter.com/2qLi1qTYfD
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) July 29, 2019
Loond, a former vice president of its Sindh chapter, was appointed as focal person for the province by the federal human rights ministry on July 10. However, it had soon emerged that earlier this year, he had been accused of grievously assaulting one of his employees in Ghotki.
According to the victim’s son, Allah Rakhio had had a disagreement with Shafiq Loond, following which he was called to Iftikhar’s residence where he was mercilessly beaten up by Shafiq, Rafiq Loond and Mumtaz Ali Loond in Iftikhar’s presence.
A video of Rakhio lying on his back on a stretcher and narrating his ordeal had been shared widely on social media.
A first information report (FIR) had been filed at the Khanpur Mahar police station against Iftikhar, Mumtaz, Shafiq and Rafiq on the victim’s complaint.
After the appointment, Loond had shared the “achievement” of landing the coveted position on social media. The move had attracted a strong reaction from human rights activists and members of civil society groups and opposition parties.
Amongst other prominent figures, human rights activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir had called for a justification for the appointment from the Ministry of Human Rights.
Yes a notification was issued by @ShireenMazari1's ministry making one Iftikhar Ahmed Khan focal person on Human Rights for Sindh. Is this the same Iftikhar who only two months ago was accused of mercilessly torturing his servant. The HR Minister must justify this appointment pic.twitter.com/id0hvisnjW
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) July 11, 2019
