Justice for Perween Rehman

Continuing resistance and illusive justice

In this conversation, we explain and examine the legal and social fight for justice regarding the brutal murder of Parveen Rahman (Director, Orangi Pilot Project) in March, 2013. We ask whether the immediate killers and the conspirators will ever be punished?. Whether we will ever discover the true motive for her brutal murder? and lastly, why such resistance for justice even without complete success is important?

About the Speakers:

Faisal Siddiqi is a leading constitutional, civil, and human rights lawyer and one of the founders of two initiatives: the Rasheed Razvi Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights, and the Legal AId Foundation for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault.

Palvasha Shahab is the Executive Director of the Rasheed Razvi Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (RCCHR), and the Legal AId Foundation for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault (LAFRSA).

Aquila Ismail Karachi-based author and social worker Aquila Ismail has written extensively on literature, women’s issues, and the development concerns of Karachi for leading Pakistani newspapers and magazines. With a Degree in Electrical Engineering, Ms Ismail was Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department of NED University of Engineering and Technology. At present, she works with Karachi based development NGO, Orangi Pilot Project (OPP). Her published works include translated fiction such as Harvest of Anger and Other Stories, Godavari, Reflections in a Cracked Mirror, : Stories of Mariam, Ali Gujar, Baby Nagina and Others and Zindabahar Lane. She has edited and written several non-fiction books, including The Microcredit Programme of the Orangi Charitable Trust. Her debut novel Of Martyrs and Marigolds was published in February 2012. At present, she is working on a book on the life and work of her sister, Perween Rahman.

Fahim Zaman Khan is a renowned journalist associated with the Dawn group as their Director. Fahim actively participates in various social and political movements, struggles, and effort geared towards the restoration of democracy and social justice in the country. He established the first-ever air ambulance service from the platform of Edhi’s Foundation. To date, Fahim has been nominated twice as the Administrator of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. During his tenure, he conceived, initiated, and completed a large number of development projects for the city.