By Shaukat Korai
KARACHI
The family and friends of Jazlan Faisal, who was murdered by some youths over a minor altercation in Bahria Town Karachi, on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, calling for the immediate arrest of two absconding suspects and swift justice in the case.
Since his unfortunate killing, Jazlan’s family has since taken to social media and organized a series of protests to encourage the police and courts to ensure the accused, who have influential families, are punished for their crimes.
Akif Sabir, the deceased’s paternal uncle, appealed to all relevant institutions, as well as the Supreme Court, bar councils and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, to provide them justice.
“We request that the remaining two suspects be tracked and arrested using modern scientific means, and unmask them before the whole world,” he said.
The deceased’s family has also further demanded that the accused be charged for terrorism, citing his social media accounts where he has uploaded videos of himself firing and displaying guns.
Protesters at the rally also lamented the gun-culture among many young men and boys, who pose a risk to the safety and security of innocent families.
“We are not safe under this regime,” one demonstrator, Hammad, stated. “An 18-year-old boy was killed in broad daylight, and no one has raised their voice regarding this incident.”
“Even if the oppressed protest like this on the streets, they are not assured justice,” said another demonstrator who chose to withhold her name. “We are in dire need of responsive and comprehensive laws.”
Background
According to reports, 19-year-old Jazlan and his friends, Shahmir Ali and Zargam, were traveling in the latter’s car along Bahria Town Karachi’s Jinnah Avenue on the night of May 26. The trio accosted Mohammad Hasnain and his friend Inshal, who were allegedly driving their bike rashly.
An argument broke out between the two parties, during which Hasnain phoned his brothers, Mohammed Ihsan and Mohammad Irfan, for backup. Wanting to avoid confrontation, the boys attempted to drive away however the suspects chased after them. Reportedly, Irfan had brought a gun with him and shot at the other party’s car before fleeing the scene
The bullet reportedly grazed Shahmir and hit Jazlan in the back of his head. Zargam remained uninjured. Following the firing, passersby rushed to the scene and helped shift the wounded to a nearby hospital in Bahria Town Karachi, from where they were later taken to the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).
According to the first information report (FIR), complainant Akif Sabir, said he received a call from Shahmir to head to the emergency ward of the AKUH as soon as possible. Akif arrived at around 2 am, where he found his nephew unconscious. Shahmir, who was out of danger, informed him of what had transpired.
Jazlan however died during treatment.
A case was lodged on Akif’s complaint under sections 34 (common intention), 302 (premeditated murder) and 324 (attempt to murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at the Gadap City police station against Hasnain, Ihsan and Irfan. Sections 109 (punishment for abetment) and 114 (abettor present when offense is committed).
Police managed to nab Hasnain, while Irfan’s arrest was announced on May 29. Ihsan and Hasnain’s friend Inshal are currently absconding. Police have also detained the accused siblings’ father Mohammad Faiz for abetment, as his licensed gun was used to fire the bullet that killed Jazlan.
On Monday, police produced Hasnain and Faiz before Judicial Magistrate (Malir) Furqan Karim and requested for a 14 day physical remand for interrogation. The suspects’ counsel however objected to this plea, arguing that Hasnain is 17 and therefore a juvenile. Declining the defence counsel’s plea, the court remanded the boy and his father in police custody till June 2 and directed the investigating officer (IO) to recover the murder weapon.