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?
it is amazing that how some people suck others in their useless circular arguments and will keep evading the real issue. I will call these people BUTNIF folks.
you ask them: should a human being be killed like this?
BUTNIF: No certainly not but he was a robber.
you: But shouldn’r robbers be tried within a judicial system. dont you think extra judicial killings are wrong.
BUTNIF: yes certainly justice must be upheld BUT our justice system is corrupt and under delivers.
you: but dont you think we should fix the system rather than supporting extra judicial killings?
BUTNIF: yes BUT in this age of terrorism how can u expect security forces to not over react
you: Well watch the video this guy was not a threat, he was subdued
BUTNIF: No BUT he touched the gun and was threat before being subdued
you: well the armed forces should be trained to deal with these situations while ensuring they dont cross the lines into brutality and use of undue force.
BUTNIF: but this happens in USA too. look at rodney king. we are under constant threat, this is US conspiracy, our justice system is corrupt and our armed forces are left with no option but to resort to violence. cause who ever is captured judges realse them. these robbers are not humans we should kill them.
you: hmm so why armed forces, parliament, politicians, and civilians are putting pressure on judges to not be corrupt. Or is it possible the others are in the game too. Maybe someone from armed forces, parliament, politicians put pressure on judges to release them.
BUTNIF: everyone is corrupt, robbers are mad, kill them kill them, long live taliban, everyone else in the world is our enemey, long live extra judicial killings and street vigilantee. i have to save my life “sniff sniff”. I have street knowledge of Karachi, sniff sniff, …i cldnt sleep all night….therefore i am supporting this murder. by the way it happens in usa too.
see you can never argue with Mr./Ms. BUTNIF. they will just confuse you. in the end you are left wondering who is a bigger culprit they soldiers who fired the bullet or thesee cyber warriors who are here to defend this murder.
@FS
It is indeed sickening to see a human being killed like a mad-dog. But don’t you think the robbers, human-looking mad dogs should not be killed. Is it robbers’ right only to take the law into their own hands and subject their victims to suffer dual torture by them and the law, only because their torture is not hyped in the media?
Sorry, a correction! In the second line, please read the date 14/6/11 instead of 14/1/11.
Please see in this connection a letter appearing in the Daily Times of 14/1/11:
“Terrorism in society and justice
Sir: Acts of terror by the police and Rangers is not new in Pakistan. The only difference is that this time we are watching their brutality on the media and are therefore reacting. There is no doubt that the killing of an unarmed boy who was not even trying to retaliate is a shameful and barbaric act by the Sindh Rangers. To get to long-term solutions, we have to see this problem from different dimensions to try and understand why our forces indulge in extra-judicial killings. Security personnel are humans too but they have been fighting a war against terrorism for the past many years. They are frustrated and tired of the poor judicial system in Pakistan. If our security institutions arrest the culprits, the courts set them free; everyone knows that for the big fish there is no problem in buying a judge. Our judiciary is not independent. It is only independent for some specific media group in issuing licenses, and for a specific political party. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has set free many culprits from the Lal Masjid episode who afterwards became involved in terrorist activities. The Sindh government and interior ministry are screaming continuously that it arrests the culprits and the courts set them free. Therefore, the security institutions are responsible but the judicial system is a lot more responsible for this increase in terrorism. Justice and repairing the judicial processes will decrease the crime rate and barbarism as well.
SYED FOAAD HASSAN
Rawalpindi”
It is sad that some people here are justifying the shooting of this person, this was a life that was taken away, I wonder how they would feel if this had happened to their loved one. Even according to the Pakistan’s majority’s belief system if one is unable to stop any wrong they should at least condemn it. Once we start justifying these atrocities, more will follow. I have not seen the video but even if, and that is a big if, you can justify the shooting how do you account for the fact that these law enforcers did not have the humanity in them to try to save the victim’s life? The fact that they did not make any effort to get medical help tells you of their callous and inhuman attitude. No ground reality can justify that and one needs no training to make an attempt to save a human life, this should be an almost reflex action in normal human beings.