Sajid Soomro, a professor of Shah Abdul Latif University, was arrested by police under blasphemy charges in Sindh's Khairpur district on Wednesday.
The Express Tribune reported that the professor is also a writer known for his books on Sindhi-Mohajir unity. He was arrested from his house in Ali Murad Mohalla, Khairpur city. According to eyewitnesses, police officials in at least four police vans cordoned off the area and tried to arrest Soomro, who closed the door of his house and called friends to inform them about the raid prior to his arrest.
Advocate Fayaz Khamisani, Soomro’s friend and Khairpur Bar Association joint secretary told the newspaper, “Dozens of police officials were present to arrest him. We were shocked to see the police rush to arrest a university professor in this way.”
While talking about the allegations, the professor’s friend said: “The allegations are very serious. We have to check if the police sought permission from the home department before registering this FIR.”
Activists, writers and members of civil society have condemned the Soomro’s arrest, demanding the Sindh government to initiate an inquiry into the registration for such a case against a university teacher.
“We want the government to withdraw the blasphemy charges against Soomro. I appeal to the educated people of Sindh to raise their voices against such acts,” Sindh University professor Dr Arfana Mallah said.
It is pertinent to mention that according to the FIR, the case under the blasphemy charges was lodged by the state.
The Express Tribune reported that the professor is also a writer known for his books on Sindhi-Mohajir unity. He was arrested from his house in Ali Murad Mohalla, Khairpur city. According to eyewitnesses, police officials in at least four police vans cordoned off the area and tried to arrest Soomro, who closed the door of his house and called friends to inform them about the raid prior to his arrest.
Advocate Fayaz Khamisani, Soomro’s friend and Khairpur Bar Association joint secretary told the newspaper, “Dozens of police officials were present to arrest him. We were shocked to see the police rush to arrest a university professor in this way.”
While talking about the allegations, the professor’s friend said: “The allegations are very serious. We have to check if the police sought permission from the home department before registering this FIR.”
Activists, writers and members of civil society have condemned the Soomro’s arrest, demanding the Sindh government to initiate an inquiry into the registration for such a case against a university teacher.
“We want the government to withdraw the blasphemy charges against Soomro. I appeal to the educated people of Sindh to raise their voices against such acts,” Sindh University professor Dr Arfana Mallah said.
It is pertinent to mention that according to the FIR, the case under the blasphemy charges was lodged by the state.