Summary:
Labour leader Iqbal Abro’s disappearance in Karachi has prompted widespread concern and protests. Trade unionists allege police involvement, instigated by influential industrialists, following Abro’s activism against forced retrenchment. While Korangi police deny the allegations, unions demand Abro’s immediate release and have threatened further action if he isn’t returned.
Disappearance of Labour Leader Sparks Karachi Protests
The disappearance of labour leader Iqbal Abro in Karachi has ignited protests and calls for his immediate release. Mr. Abro, a young and active trade unionist, reportedly went missing from the Korangi Industrial Area, according to his colleagues and labour rights activists.
Trade union leaders allege that influential industrialists orchestrated Mr. Abro’s disappearance, with the purported involvement of police. This action is believed to be a reprisal for his vocal advocacy against forced retrenchment at an industrial unit. However, the Korangi district police have officially denied any involvement in detaining Mr. Abro.
Protest Over Abro’s Disappearance
On Sunday evening, a protest demonstration was held outside the Karachi Press Club to highlight the situation. Organized by the National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF-P), participants, including women, carried portraits of Mr. Abro and demanded his liberation from what they termed “illegal custody.”
Speaking to the media at the demonstration, union leaders Nasir Mehmood and Comrade Gul Rehman asserted that Awami Colony police illegally detained and tortured Mr. Abro before moving him to an undisclosed location. They characterized this as an enforced disappearance, implicating an influential industrialist due to Abro’s efforts for workers’ rights. Further updates can be found on SindhNews.com.
A petition regarding the alleged disappearance has reportedly been filed before the Sindh High Court. The union leaders have also appealed directly to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, urging him to intervene and secure Mr. Abro’s swift release from police custody.
The NTUF-P leaders issued a warning: if Iqbal Abro is not released promptly, they will convene a labour conference in the Site area on Sunday evening to determine their future course of action and amplify their demands. The ongoing absence of the labour leader continues to raise concerns among workers and human rights advocates in the city.