Candle Light Vigil in the memory of slain journalist Saleem Shahzad and Prof. Saba Dashtyari

Press release

Vancouver, June 8, 2011 – The Vancouver chapter of Baloch Human Rights Council (Canada) has issued a press release to the media stating that BHRC and International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons will represent the Baloch deliberation in the forthcoming Candle Light Vigil in the memory of slain journalist Saleem Shahzad and Prof. Saba Dashtyari of Balochistan University on Sunday, June 12, 2011.

 The statement further elaborated that Saleem Shahzad and Prof. Saba Dashtyari were assassinated by the Pakistani spy agency I.S.I. just days apart. Saleem Shahzad, a correspondent of Hong Kong – based Asia Times was abducted while on his way to a meeting and his mutilated body with marked signs of torture was found 24 hours later ditched in a field.

Prof. Saba Dashtyari was a professor of Islamic Studies at the Balochistan University, a poet, author of several books on Balochi literature and language, and a man of revolutionary ideals. He was the prominent voice of political dissent at the Balochistan University and courageously pursued the goal of Baloch nation’s independence from Iran and Pakistan. He was gunned down by the I.S.I death squad in public while he was walking back home.

BHRC and IVBMP appealed to the progressive, secular, and freedom loving citizens with conscience to take part in this peaceful rally and support the cause for freedom of speech, right to life, and national emancipation.

 Candle Light Vigil in the memory of slain journalist Saleem Shahzad and Prof. Saba Dashtyari:

When: Sunday, June 12, 2011 at 7:30 pm

 Where: Holland Park (corner of King George Blvd & Old Yale Road), Surrey, BC.

 Organizers:

Committee of Progressive Pakistani Canadians (CPPC)

Aziz Baloch, Voice President BHRC (Canada) 

Coordinator, IVBMP (Canada)

 Endorsed By:    

Fraser Valley Peace Council (FVPC)

South Asian Network for Secularism & Democracy (SANSAD)

Baloch Human Rights Council Canada (BHRC)

International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons Canada (IVBMP)