Social Activist, Father Killed Days After Speaking Against Land Mafia In KP

A social activist from Malakand and her father were shot dead two weeks after they sought police protection from influential landgrabbers.

Sheeba Gul, daughter of Karim Bakhsh, spoke at a press conference on September 11 at Peshawar Press Club, where she said the notorious land mafia had occupied her ancestral property with connivance of local administration. “The court has ruled in our favor,” she had said.

Despite the court verdict, the woman said the authorities were not taking any action against the accused. “The land mafia forcibly harvested crop worth around seven to eight million rupees and a few days ago they also sold land worth nearly Rs5 million from our property,” Sheeba told the media.

She said she and her family were being threatened with dire consequences if she did not stop pursuing this issue.

She said she had made a written complaint against the accused to the authorities but to no avail.

On Thursday, unidentified assailants opened fire at Sheeba and her father, leaving them dead on the spot. The suspects managed to flee the scene.

Police have registered a case against Inamullah, son of Saleem Asghar, and launched investigation. However, the accused are still at large.

Sheeba’s family has appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan, chief minister and other authorities to ensure justice and take the culprits to the task.