Rays of development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan.

43-Rehmat Park, University Road, Sargodha Pakistan.

www.raysofdevelopment.org
jawad_mazhar@yahoo.com

Kashif Riaz, the ‘ROD’ activist fled to save his life

Written by: Jawad Mazhar (ROD)

Kashif Riaz an energetic, sincere and enthusiastic human rights activist had to flee
to France in order to save his life from the religious fundamental elements of
Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Religious fanatics ablaze Kashif Riaz’s maternal
uncle’s cycle repair shop in a bid to stop him working for the deprived minorities
in Pakistan. Kashif Riaz had been threatened at several times by radical Muslims.
Hence he had to escape to France to save his life.

Kashif Riaz was honestly and zealously struggling to eliminate the persecution
against religious minorities of Pakistan by fundamental Muslims (Jehadees).
He had been acting as Transportation Co-ordinator for Rays
of development Organization, Sargodha, while in Pakistan.
Kashif Riaz helped and financed rays of development
organization conduct street theatre on diverse topics. He
always stood up firmly for the women rights in the Islamic
Fundamental society of Pakistan. Due to his hard work
against the violation of Basic human rights in Pakistan,
fundamental elements of Islamic society started to threaten
him. But Kashif Riaz dared to stand against all this
opposition by the religious fanatics and kept on providing
his services for the humanity. Mr Kashif Riaz

On May 7th, 2007, fundamental element whose intentions were to stop Kashif Riaz
serving humanity ablaze his maternal uncle’s cycle repair shop. Even in such a
critical situation Kashif Riaz stood daringly against religious radical Muslims.
Kashif Riaz approached Cantt Police Station and submitted an application vide
#224 on March 8th, 2007. But Police also took side of their Muslim community
and deliberately refused to register a case against the assailant Muhammad Ashraf
Machi, their Muslim brother.

But Kashif Riaz wouldn’t stop due to their threats. Emboldened by this incident
Muhammad Ashraf Machi, backed by the radical Muslims also started to threaten
Kashif Riaz. In one of such regrettable incidents Muhammad Ashraf Machi hurled
death threats at Kashif Riaz by brandishing a Pistol, while Kashif was on a
campaign to raise funds for the admission of orphan children to the school.

Kashif Riaz avoided informing Police pertaining to this incident because it would
have further complicated the situation, endangering his life and family. Therefore
he decided and friends also suggested him to leave country and settle else where in
the world.
Rays of development Organization, Sargodha, Pakistan.
43-Rehmat Park, University Road, Sargodha Pakistan.

www.raysofdevelopment.org
jawad_mazhar@yahoo.com