WSI Condemns Deadly Attack on Human Rights Activist in Sindh (Washington, DC) – WSI condemns the recent terrorist attack in the guise of nationalism on veteran Sindhi activist, Dr. Rahim Solangi on Wednesday, January 10 in Karachi. Dr. Solangi was a recent recipient of the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area Human Rights Award for his involvement in civil, political, democratic and human rights activities in Pakistan that have been a source of persecution and arrest. Dr. Solangi has also worked to alleviate the hardships faced by the drought-stricken people of Thar, the abolition of bonded labor and private jails in Sindh, and led a 600-Mile Long March organized to mobilize public opinion on the burning issues of education, language, and unemployment in Sindh. In 1997 Amnesty International published a piece on him in their report on Pakistan “Arbitrary Detention & Disappearances.” Mr. Solangi’s assailant pumped four bullets in his chest and legs. He survived the deadly attack but is still under intensive care. Mr. Solangi has identified the attacker but the authorities have refused to arrest the culprit. This leads WSI to believe that Pakistani authorities, as usual, have adopted a laisser faire attitude which is tantamount to condoning the deadly act on a law-abiding citizen of Pakistan. WSI strongly appeals to the authorities to search for and bring to justice the culprits responsible for this heinous, cowardly act on the part of those masquerading in the name of nationalism. WSI also appeals to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other human rights groups to investigate this attack, and bring pressure to bear on the relevant sections in Pakistan to do the same. Release January 13, 2002