Social media users have condemned the abduction of lawyer and rights activist Jibran Nasir, whose whereabouts remain unknown after he was picked up by armed men in Karachi last night.
In a video message, Jibran Nasir’s wife, Mansha Pasha, said that around 15 men in plain clothes with pistols surrounded their vehicle when they were on their way home after dinner at 11pm and took Jibran Nasir forcefully.
Senior journalist Hamid Mir tweeted that those who abducted the human rights activist have “crossed a red line of civil society”.
“Enforced Disappearance of Jibran Nasir is a message for all those believe in rule of law and freedom of expression,” he said.
Enforced Disappearance of @MJibranNasir is a message for all those believe in rule of law and freedom of expression. One can disagree with the views of Jibran but he is not a supporter of PTI,he never participated in May 9th violence. Those who abducted him crossed a red line of… https://t.co/FevODjuknr
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) June 2, 2023
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that they were “deeply concerned” by reports of the lawyer’s abduction.
The human rights watchdog demanded Jibran Nasir’s safe recovery, while urging the authorities to hold his abductors accountable.
HRCP is deeply concerned by reports that lawyer and activist @MJibranNasir has been abducted by unknown armed persons in Karachi. We demand that he be safely recovered immediately and his abductors held accountable under the law.
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) June 1, 2023
Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen also condemned the abduction, lamenting that it has become normal in Pakistan to abduct and torture political and social workers.
ریاستی اداروں کا جبران ناصر کو غیرقانونی طور پر اُٹھا کر لاپتہ کرنا انتہائی افسوسناک ہے۔نارتھ وزیرستان میں بھی دھشتگردی مخالف PTM کے عہدیداروں کو فوج اٹھا کر لے گئے ہیں۔
سیاسی و سماجی کارکُنوں کی اغوائیگی، تشدد اور انکو دھشت زدہ کرنا اب پاکستان میں ایک نارمل معمول بن گیا ہے۔— Manzoor Pashteen (@ManzoorPashteen) June 2, 2023
Former MNA Bushra Gohar condemned the abduction, and questioned Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and the police chief regarding the activist’s whereabouts.
Strongly condemn the abduction of #HumanRights activist @MJibranNasir.
CM @MuradAliShahPPP & IGP #Sindh, #JawabDo #WhereIsJibranNasir?#ReleaseJibranNasir https://t.co/g7W6tY3oKi
— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) June 2, 2023
Former Senator Afrasiab Khattak demanded the release of the human rights activist, saying that no government has been successful in curtailing the practice of enforced disappearances.
“Unfortunately no govt has been able to stop this crime against citizens which means that the country is practically without a state which could protect the life/liberty of citizens,” he said.
The enforced disappearance of lawyer/HR activist Jibran Nasir is condemnable. Unfortunately no govt has been able to stop this crime against citizens which means that the country is practically without a state which could protect the life/liberty of citizens.#ReleaseJibranNasir
— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) June 2, 2023
#ReleaseJibranNasir
Unjust & illegal abduction of @MJibranNasir is deeply disturbing.
The intolerance level since the #PDM government was installed has hit rock bottom.
Even traces of Civilian Supremacy are being wiped out as the Spineless politicians kowtow to real masters. pic.twitter.com/YBgqbZKCKl— Mohammad Ali Talpur (@mmatalpur) June 2, 2023
Social media user Shaan Yousaf condemned the abduction and said that Jibran Nasir is among the few people in Pakistan who always “stood for the rights of oppressed & weaker”.
“This is absolute madness. A voice for voiceless, needs our voice today,” he added.
One of the very few sane voices of Pakistan who has always stood for the rights of oppressed & weaker, Jibran Nasir was illegally picked up from Karachi today by 15 armed men.
This is an absolute madness. A voice for voiceless, needs our voice today.#ReleaseJibranNasir pic.twitter.com/IV1CRQWI8h
— Shaan (@Shanyousaf6) June 1, 2023
Lawyer and activist Jibran Nasir was picked up by 15 unidentified men from his residence in Karachi and his whereabouts are unknown!#JibranNasir pic.twitter.com/3EH9KvUhMl
— Shamila Ghyas (@ShamilaGhyas) June 1, 2023
Jibran Nasir contested the 2018 general elections from Karachi as an independent candidate, and is a human rights activist. He has been vocal in his criticism of the recent state crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers following their attack on civil and military installations on May 9 to protest the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. He was listed in 2013 by the Foreign Policy Magazine amongst three Pakistanis doing inspirational work against sectarian violence.
