The brutal killing of Dr Mohammad Ajmal Sawand, a prominent teacher associated with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), over a tribal dispute has sparked strong condemnation as the public mourns the loss of another scholar.
According to the details, Ajmal Sawand, a doctorate scholar who was serving as Assistant Director at IBA Sukkur was traveling to his ancestral village Shalu Khan when a rival armed gang of the Sundrani community attacked him. Ajmal Sawand succumbed to the fatal shooting without receiving medical attention.
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Giving details of dispute, SSP Kandhkot Irfan Ali Samo told the media that two groups of Sundrani and Sawand clans were at loggerheads since 2022 due to a clash that erupted between them. The attack on Ajmal Sawand was in retaliation.
Killing of IBA teacher Ajmal Sawan strongly condemned
The murder of Ajmal Sawand triggered a strong reaction as the public called for an end to the feudal culture in Sindh. Netizens, especially members of the Sindhi community, on social media are demanding justice for Ajmal Sawand.
“SANA condemns the brutal murder of university professor, a Ph.D. scholar Dr Ajmal Sawand in Sukkur in an alleged tribal feud. Tribal conflicts are inflicting immeasurable pain and loss to the Sindhi society and order. We demand justice,” the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) said on Twitter.
SANA condemns brutal murder of university professor, a PhD scholar Dr. Ajmal Sawand in #Sukkur in an alleged tribal feud. Tribal conflicts are inflicting immeasurable of pain and loss to Sindhi society and order. We demand justice. pic.twitter.com/TajbBLmOXq
— Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) (@sindh_sana) April 6, 2023
Apart from the public, political leaders have also taken note of the incident and expressed their condemnation. PPP also released a detailed statement from Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto who condemned the killing of the IBA teacher, Ajmal Sawand.
Bilawal Bhutto directed the Sindh police to investigate the murder on an urgent basis and bring those responsible to speedy justice. He also extended his condolences to Ajmal Sawand’s friends and family.
“Professor Ajmal Sawand was a scholarly person, I was deeply shocked to hear the sad news of his murder, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari,” Bilawal Bhutto said.
پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی کندھکوٹ میں آئی بی اے سکھر کے پروفیسر اجمل ساوند کے قتل کی مذمت
چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی سندھ پولیس کو پروفیسر اجمل ساوند کے قتل کی جلد تحقیقات اور ذمہ داران کو فوری کیفرکردار تک پہنچانے کی ہدایت@BBhuttoZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) April 6, 2023
General Secretary of PTI Sindh Chapter Mubeen Jatoi also condemned the murder of Ajmal Sawand.
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“I strongly condemn the merciless killing of young professor Dr. Ajmal Sawand, who left France and came to enlighten the people of Sindh with education. There is no saintly heir in this province, people are being killed day by day. In this hour of sorrow, we express sympathy with the family members and demand the arrest of the killers as soon as possible,” Mubeen Jatoi said.
نوجوان پروفیسر ڈاکٹر اجمل ساوند کے بے رحمانہ قتل کی شدید مذمت کرتا ہوں، فرانس چھوڑ کر سندھ کے عوام کو تعلیم سے روشناس کرانے آئے تھے،
کوئی ولی وارث نہیں اس صوبے کا، آئے دن لوگوں کو قتل کیا جارہا ہے، دکھ کی اس گھڑی میں لواحقین کے ساتھ اظہار ہمدردی کرتے ہیں اور قاتلوں کی جلد از جلد… pic.twitter.com/pYlwTTaLa3
— Mubeen Jatoi (@MubeenJatoiPTI) April 6, 2023
Dr Sawand did his Ph.D. at Paris Descartes University and had been working for the institute for the last eight years. He left France to teach in Pakistan. He was a distinguished scholar in the field of computer science and made significant contributions to the institute through his research work.
The funeral prayer was held in Society Area, Sukkur. Teachers, students, government officials, and people from all walks of life attended Prof Sawand’s last rites.