(PK) Background re Khalid Mahmood

[Guest guest]

From ANIMAL PEOPLE, January/February 2004:

 

 

Obituaries

 

Arif Mahmood Qureshi, 59, died on November 21, 2003 in

Multan, Pakistan. An attorney who defended democracy against a

succession of dictatorial governments, Qureshi published the human

rights newspaper The Lord. He was imprisoned in 1970, 1973 -1977,

1979, 1981, 1983, 1986, and 1988. Despite spending much of the

prime of his life in prison, forbidden family visits, for

protesting against the 1971-1977 regime of Z.A. Bhutto, Qureshi as a

matter of principle led demonstrations against Bhutto's hanging after

General Zia ul-Haq deposed Bhutto in a coup-d'etat. " In 1981, "

recalled Qureshi's younger brother Khalid Mahmood, who publishes

the newspaper The Tension to promote both human rights and animal

rights, " Arif was sent to Lahore Fort, the ugly torture cell of

Pakistan. He was kept in cells where daylight and fresh air cannot

peep through. This and untold body tortures resulted in complete

deterioration of his health. " Wrongly accused of involvement in a

failed coup attempt, Qureshi survived a crude attempt at execution

by lethal injection of an unknown toxin or pathogen, but developed a

skin disease so severe that he was sent home to die. " The history of

Arif's achievements and struggle will not be complete without

mentioning his true love and concern for the welfare of animals and

birds, " Mahmood continued. Hearing of Animal Rights International,

founded in 1976 by longtime U.S. human rights and animal rights

crusader Henry Spira, Qureshi started a Pakistani group of the same

name, parallel to an Indian Animal Rights International founded by

Laxmi Modi. " After forming ARI, Arif gave up eating the meat of

animals and birds, " despite the advice of his physicians, Mahmood

told ANIMAL PEOPLE. " He wrote many articles about the welfare of

animals and birds. He also arranged many meetings to promote

awareness of animal protection. He was found fighting for the rights

of the suppressed citizens not only in Pakistan or belonging to some

specific class, sect, race or tribe but of the world at large, "

Mahmood concluded. " He left a son, Babar Soekarno, and a daughter,

Pakiza Arif, " both of whom also practice law.

 

 

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

[ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

decision-makers at more than 9,500 animal protection organizations.

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