Published in The Daily Mail (24/03/2006)

ISLAMABAD—The human rights group Ansar Burney Trust International has announced to investigate and probe the growing problems and prevailing situation of human rights violations in restive area of Dera Bugti in Balochistan and Waziristan.

Renowned human rights activist and Chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust International, Ansar Burney, while talking to newsmen here Thursday announced to visit Dera Bugti and Waziristan in the coming days to get to the truth regarding human rights violations and the killings of innocents in the region. Ansar Burney announced that several Ansar Burney Trust members had already been dispatched to the region and were sending daily reports with regards to the worsening situation and the gross violations of human rights in the respective areas.

"Our people are working in these areas to collect evidences and they are risking their own lives just so they can get the necessary details, pictures and videos to report to the world the violation of international norms of human rights in this region. I am now heading there myself and as soon as we have all the evidences we need, we will report the true happenings in these areas to nation and the world". Ansar Burney said.

"We are human rights activists and have absolutely nothing to do with any government, opposition or any form of politics; we know only and only one thing and that is respect of humanity and human rights; and justice without discrimination". He added. "It is, therefore, our duty to get to the truth, help those in need and expose and punish those responsible." Mr. Burney said.

Ansar Burney also announced that a delegation consisting of Chairman, Vice Chairman Fahad Burney and Sarim Burney is planning to meet with the Prime Minister of Pakistan to discuss with him the prevailing human rights situation in the country, particularly in Dera Bugti and Waziristan.

Ansar Burney, who has recently been declared an International "Hero" in the field of human rights by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the US State Department, stated that after his own visit to Dera Bughti and Waziristan, his organization would release a factual report on the human rights violations occurring there.

He said that his personnel in the region had also reported that the same elements responsible for human suffering in that region are also heavily involved in the abduction and forced trafficking of persons in Western It may be recalled that Ansar Burney is an internationally recognized authority in the field of anti human trafficking in Pakistan and the Middle East. Answering a question, Ansar Burney added, "Our motto is to please God, our own concise and to help humanity in distress without any affiliation and consideration of any political party, government or movement; and we do this without any discrimination!"

As Chairman of Ansar Burney Trust International, Ansar Burney announced that the reports, pictures and videos his organization had so far collected from these areas were very disturbing; and that they would be released soon to the media and international organizations after the final visit by a senior delegation of the Trust. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday and the topic for their discussion would be the human rights situation in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan and NWFP.—Online

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