Adil Najam
This graphic video of the brutal murder of 19 year of Sarfraz Shah being confronted and shot dead by Rangers – supposedly because he was a robber refusing to surrender – is only the latest in a string of state and societal resort to violence that makes one wonder if we have gone totally mad: Lynchings in Sialkot, disappearances and killings in Balochistan, shaming of protesters in Rawalpindi, vigilante justice in Karachi, shootings over load-shedding in Multan, bombings of shrines in Lahore, slaying of a woman Minister in Gujranwala, slaughter of a Christian Minister in Islamabad, and a culture of anger and a validation of violence everywhere, including and most horrendously by those who are supposed to be the custodians of our safety and security.
We are including the graphic video of the brutal murder of Sarfraz Shah, but after the ‘fold’. Reader discretion is required. But if you can bear to watch it, then do so. Because it is well past time that we stop ignoring the rot that threatens our every pore.
What can one do except hold ones head in shame and sadness, and ask oneself: Have we gone totally mad?
Despite the anger and angst that swells within each vein, I would like to believe that we have not. I still believe in Pakistan and Pakistanis. Maybe I do so because I have no option but to believe so. But more than that I do so because I know that even though the insanity is all around me, there is even more disgust and dismay at this insanity. But it is no longer enough to show disgust and dismay. We must speak up – as so many actually are. And that is because I believe that we still have it within ourselves to rise against and reject this violence. If we do not, then who will?
I hope you are right Prof. Najam and that there are enough sane people. But sometimes I really wonder if you are the only one. You do seem like the only one who is still believing in Pakistan when it is becoming very difficult to do so.
What does it mean to ‘speak up’. Everyone is speaking up, even politicians and media. What good will that do?
Very unfortunate incident. But I am little surprised at the quick post at ATP when it does not usually retort to quick conclusions. Shouldn’t have the editors taken more time and get more details?
Here is a link to a complete video (more graphic)
http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=http%3A //www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DHVUKqOgMYBE%26oref% 3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fresults%2 53Fsearch_query%253Dranger%252Bkill%2526aq%253Df%2 6has_verified%3D1%26skipcontrinter%3D1
As you can listen in on the conversation, the guy had a gun, which he claimed was fake though we don’t know if it was or not. And there were reports of robbers in the area.
This in no way justifies the heinous crime but reflects a sad reality of Pakistani society. In Karachi especially, armed robberies and mobile snatching have become a part of life — an accepted evil. I know of many people who lost their lives when they hesitated — I am not using the word resisted — in giving up their cell phones and wallets. They were shot from point blank and multiple times. Including those who were the sole bread winners of a poor family. And majority of robbers are also poor. See the irony!
It therefore comes as no shock to see some comments praising the action. When there is no rule of law in a country, there is a law of jungle.
And mind you, rangers follow the law of jungle. Don’t we know that, especially Karachiites? They killed hundreds, probably thousands, of innocent people during the infamous operation of the 1990s. And they are involved in criminal activities, including drug trafficking. About time to kick them out of Karachi; nineteen years are more than enough for a suffering inflicted upon Karachiites souls.
Horrible, horrible, horrible.
Strong post.
Your continous faith in Pakistan is always inspiring, but I must say it becomes more and more difficult to hold that faith as these things unfold.