KARACHI: Large Number of Civil society organisations and trade unionists, human rights activists has Protest across Sindh against the arrest of PFF leader Saeed Baloch by Rangers in Karachi/ Widely protest rallies and gatherings arranged in different towns and cities, including Karachi, Thatta, Jati, Sujawal, Badin, Sanghar, Umerkot and Hyderabad demanded immediately release of Saeed Baloch, general secretary of Pakistan Fisherflk Forum (PFF). Hundreds of community people, including women and children from marine and inland waters and revrine peasants took part in the rallies and expressed concerns about his safety.

In Karachi a crowd of community people hailing from coastal villages gathered outside Karachi Press Club to show strength and demanded early recovery of their leader, who has been under custody of Pakistan rangers since January 16, 2016.

Karamat Ali of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), Ellahi Bakhsh of Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), Mehnaz Rehman of Aurat Foundation, Asad Butt of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Majeed Motani, Talib Kachhi and Fatima Majeed of PFF led the rally.

Activists carrying banners and placards, were shouting slogans against the illegal detention of the human rights defender and demanded his release without further delay to remove concerns among family, relatives and friends. They said ever since his arrest there is no any information about his whereabouts and his family and friends are very much worried.

Karamat Ali of PILER on the occasion said Saeed Baloch is innocent trade unionist and is member of international human rights forums. He said charges leveled against Baloch are fake. He said those officials of Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS), including chairman and directors, involved in corruption have fled abroad.

The protestors said the action should be taken against real culprits. Because, Saeed Baloch is general secretary of FCS employees union (CBA) and always raised voice to protect the rights of fishermen. Hence, illegal detention of human rights defender should be condemned.

Reports reaching here from Thatta said a large number of fishermen community from Keti Bunder and other coastal areas joined the rally and demanded early recovery of Saeed Baloch. Yasmeen Shah, Mir Baloch, Yaqub Otho, Gulab Shah and others led the rally in front of Thatta Press Club, where they expressed concerns about detention of their leader.Reports from Jati, Sujawal reveal that a large number of community women took part in the rally to condemn the detention of Saeed Baloch and demanded to produce him before the court of law. They said if there are any allegations against him, they should be proved before the court of law. Noor Muhammad Thahimor, Mussrat Mandhrio and others led the rally and demanded release of Saeed Baloch.

Reports from Badin said hundreds of community women, hailing from different villages took to streets to protest against illegal detention of PFF general secretary and demanded his immediate release. Community leaders, Yaseen Tunio, Umar Mallah, Mithan Mallah, Sajan Mallah led the protest demonstration.

In Hyderabad, Indus Region Manager Majeed Thahim, Punhal Sario, Muhammad Mallah and others led the rally from Old Campus to Hyderabad Press Club to mark their protest against illegal detention of Saeed. They demanded to produce him before the court of law. They said ever since his detention his family members are worried about his health and life. Community people from riverine areas joined the rally.

Reports from Sanghar said a gathering attracted a large number of fishermen and peasants, including women at the local press club. Hassan Askari of Awam Workers Party (AWP), community leaders Ramzan Mallah, Mir Hassan Marri, Ayoub Malah, Rasool Bakhsh, hari leader Yar Muhammad Shaikh led the rally. They have also the similar demands to produce Saeed Baloch before the court of law and allow parents and friends to see him. They said community people are worried about the health and life of their leader.

It can be mentioned here that Saeed Baloch is member of leading global forums and they have already taken his detention at their forums to release him without further delay.