Fida Hussain Ghalvi is scared. Twelve members of his family were killed in cold blood in 1997 and the alleged killer, Malik Ishaq, has been released on bail from Kot Lakhpat jail by the Supreme Court Lahore registry on Thursday.
Ishaq, however, is no ordinary killer. He is one of the founders of the dreaded terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), key suspect in the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009 and 43 other cases in which 70 people have been killed.
He was granted bail by the apex court after the prosecution failed to prove his involvement in the case of attack on Sri Lankan cricket team.
Ishaq was acquitted in 34 out of 44 cases while in the remaining 10, including the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team, he had already been granted bail, official documents revealed.
Garlanded upon release
Sources say the release comes after Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi, chief of the defunct outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan which is now known as Millat-e-Islamia/Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamat, met with Ishaq for more than two hours at Kot Lakhpat Jail. Other prisoners were not allowed to meet their families during that period.
Maulana Ludhianvi then distributed money amongst jail staff and prisoners after the meeting, sources said. He had arrived with several guards and armed men, they added.
Ishaq was greeted by scores of supporters on his release, who garlanded him and showered flower petals on him.
Shoot-out at majlis
Ishaq has been in jail since 1997 for allegedly killing 12 members of Ghalvi’s family, in addition to being allegedly involved in killing 58 other people in various incidents of sectarian violence.
“Ishaq and seven of his accomplices attacked a Shia gathering at my relative’s village in Do Kota in Mailsi tehsil, Vehari,” said Ghalvi while speaking exclusively to The Express Tribune.
“They started firing indiscriminately as soon as they entered it,” he added.
Ishaq was arrested from Faisalabad the same year and sent to Multan central jail.
‘Dead don’t talk’
Ghalvi says he and other witnesses were summoned to identify Ishaq.
“He was least disturbed when witnesses pointed him out,” said Ghalvi.
In the presence of a civil judge and jail deputy superintendent, Ishaq threatened the witnesses and said: “Dead men don’t talk.”
“Despite the threat, we refused to back down,” Ghalvi said, adding that Ishaq’s associates have unleashed a violent campaign against the witnesses and their families.
He said that Ishaq’s cohorts have also threatened judges, policemen and prosecutors.
The intimidation resulted in Ishaq being let off in 42 cases registered against him. He was granted bail in the 43rd case and only one case is now pending against him, Ghalvi said.
He added that during Ishaq’s trial, eight more people linked to witnesses were killed while he, and other witnesses, still receives death threats from Ishaq’s men.
Victim imprisoned, killer at large
“I have become almost a reclusive. I can’t even go to funerals,” Ghalvi said, adding “Sometimes I feel like a prisoner. However, the killers are at large.” Poor investigation and prosecution, and disregard of evidence contributed to Ishaq’s freedom, Ghalvi said. Fear also played a major role since Ishaq’s cohorts frightened everyone involved in the cases, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2011.
COMMENTS (52)
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its quite evident that either thi guy has political backing or the other side was being threatened.. having said that still a slap in the face of our so called judiciary!!!
@Nadir, brother i am also victim of problem which you faced, Express Tribune team also not had publish my comments and i am so astonished to see that all comments who are in the favor of terrorist and chief justice were published but those comment who contain mirror to show real face of judiciary are blocked by the administrator, why, why, why because we are exposing truth of our so called independent judiciary. Brother Nadir, this is the dilemma which we are facing now. you have pointed the 100% reality in your comment. but the point of attention is that why our so called independent media is not exposing these dragons of nation.
Folks! My previous comments wasn't publish for unknown reason. Being a citizen of Pakistan, I have a constitutional right to express my opinion. I am hopping The Tribune publish my comments this time. Let's get back to the topic. Well, my dear brothers and sisters! You must understand that this is Paksitan where every impossible is possible. Don't be panic with so-called AZAD ADLIA judgement of releasing a terrorist. In near future you will see more and more terrorists comming out of jails. Unfortunately, our COWARDS JUDGES are scared of terrorists and they have no courage to punish them. Despite the fact that 35000 innocent pakistanis men, women, and children have been killed but no terrorist has been punished or hanged so far. Thousands of terrorist have been arrested where most of them were captured with suiside jakets, weapons, and bobmbs. How many of them have been punished by courts? ZERO. I don't agree with the weak prosecution point as this is a so-called term created by these coward judges to defend their ugly decisions. People of Pakistan should really think about it. I wouldn't forget to discuss the role of CJ, SC. In my opinion, the CJ of Pakistan was only interested to get back the chair that was taken from him by Musharaf. He made fool all of those who were part of the AZAD ADLIA TEHRIK. I strongly believe that CJ and government match is fixed from the day one. None of his judgement is complied by govt and he is only sending warning after warning. It seems he has a deal with govt. CJ, SC passed a lot of time on NRO case and ended with nothing. How much he recovered? ZERO. How many he punished? ZERO. He spent some time on ZA Bhutto case and came up with nothing. Now he is passing time on NICL case. He is just enjoying his time and interested to retire as CJ of SC and that's it. Don't make expectation of him. He is a servant of govt. He knows govt can stop my wages if I broke the deal.
God Bless you and my country. Please accept may apology if my words caused any inconvenience to you.
Our biggest problem is that we are all the time worried and angry on what others say about our religion. Why? We should only worry about what we think about our own religion and faith. We must be at peace thinking the teachings of our prophet our God. If some one wants to worship in some other manner and say bad things then why should it disturb our peace and our faith. The All MIGHTY is there to do the justice and our faith in HIM should keep our minds at peace and not spew hatered.@Peace:
I living in Rahim Yar Khan and “Malik Ishaq” is residency of Rahim yar Khan, that was the days when “Sipah-e-Sahaba” was operating actively, “Malik Ishaq” was the leader of terrorist activities, residencies of Rahim Yar Khan are witnessed of his terror activities, there was so called sipah-e-shaba’s office (weapons store) in center of the city, but no one is the power to check it even “Police”. He killed many peoples around the city; even today peoples of the city surprised on the Supreme Court act because we see his activities earlier.
Ohh…! But courts need evidence as my dear brother “Khadim Husain” & “jazeb” said “courts need evidence and that is part of any democratic welfare system of Government”.
Courts need strong evidence and I am expecting that soon “dead body” go for court and say “Malik Ishaq” killed me…
I ask the peoples of Pakistan please tell me what is done by CJ in their on field? Please visit and see the lower courts Judges they are operating same as they were doing three years before CJ should work also in his field because 96% of cases are in lower courts.
As residency of Rahim Yar Khan I am not happy with the discharge of terrorist “Malik Ishaq”.
It is quite obvious that a political class is secretly subscribed to the fundamentalist religious ideology and did not take a clear stance against the Taliban’s terrorist activities in the country for expedient reasons. But we did not know that the central leader of one of Pakistan’s major political parties would spill the beans of his party’s pusillanimity in such a clumsy manner. However, the citizens are so fed up with the Taliban that the reluctance of the Punjab government to take action against the jihadi outfits in Punjab is likely to cost the PML-N dearly. This attitude of PML-N is simply hampering the Govt’s attempts to counter monster of terrorism. Similarly it is par with the betrayal from the blood of those who rendered their lives in this war of survival.
All liberals please go and read some religious literature for once, I know you think you are better than any religious person, but still for once for the sake of seeking peace. Please go and read the blasphemous stuff a minority sect publishes and believes in. Then decide who is right and who is wrong and whose feelings get hurt. While I say this, still a table talk is the only solution. But we have to be very straightforward.
Thanks Judiciary! Qanoon really blind hota hai.
Well Hoor Chupoo. Have fun with "AZAD ADLIA". Pakistan is destined for glory :) (in parallel universe)
God bless my motherland Pakistan ......... but I doubt it.
Punjab Goverment, especially, Rana Sanaullah are acting like chief patron of outlawed organizations. They should keep in mind that any backlash of terror will not spare them as well.
http://www.time.com/time/quotes/0,26174,1914863,00.html
this is called our so called independent judiciary. now killer has release on bail to let him do other killing. shame on us if we think that judiciary is independent.
Now, nobody going to protest against this act, A terrorist is free and millions of other prisoners who are not even guilty but still capt imprisoned because they don't have the "Upper Hand" like he does. Shame on us we call our self a nation, huh...!!! Allah Rehim kry hum sub per, Ameen.
@Amazed: army? why are u so sarcarstic, seems like u are an agent of RAW !
If he is that big terrorist then how come he was bailed out? Either judges of the court are deaf, mute and mentally retarded or the accusations are from the land of hypothesis.
But this is become tradition of court to either release or bail out terrorist or criminals.
Twitter: @SyedArbabAhmed http://syedarbabahmed.blogspot.com http://www.youtube.com/actionsfurysroar
What the hell is going on??? Everyone in the world has changed their rules and laws regarding terrorism, except the worst affected by it! We, the Pakistanis!!! Pakistan has to follow the example of Arab Spring! Come on over-throw all these corrupt leaders, who r slaves to west! Sharia Law is the only solution!
Look at his picture and tell me honestly that you can trust your kids with him? Shame on the "independent" judiciary.
Dear Sir you have completely missed the point in this particular case.@Khadim Husain:
Well said I appreciate and hope so do all liberals,right thinkers, progressives true Muslims. All those who attack and kill innocents on road and visiting sportsmen etc must be facilitated on the roads of Pakistan with rose petals and band. @mkd:
isnt it enough for the courts to put him behind bars that he belongs to a banned organization !!! he openly said after coming out that he will continue doing what he had been doing ... shame on this judiciary !!!
Before bashing any institution remember he was in Jail since last 16 years, at that time not TTP or any other gang was even born. It is mockery of police to involve such person in four dozen cases. I don't remember name, one such person who contested against Mian Nawaz Sharif was indicted in 200 criminal cases and later killed in encounter. Shahbaz Shariff has the notoriety of encounters and lodging fake cases. Finally when he killed one person declaring terrorist, and before submission of election papers, Shahbaz rubbed his nose on the feet of deceased person killed in encounter. Mother pardoned him. Propaganda on the basis of sectarian abhorence is another thing but proving anyone in court the guilt of anyone is another thing. For which you need evidence. He is not alone dozens of missing persond, killed in encounters, extra judicial killings and others are victim of police or state barbarism. Whether you like anyone or not but everyone is states citizen. Also remember that what ideology he might have but every citizen having different ideologies are under tyrrany of police. Appreciate courts, because this can happen with you, any Bhutto, Zia or Musharraf can indict you in uncommitted crime. Also have a look on Javed Hashmi's book, one fake major lodged case against him. Think being Pakistani citizen not as Sunni, Shia, Brelvi or liberal.
@Akthar: "we have the gall to protest against everyother country for oppression!"
you are not pakistani LOL u are pathetic
It's a conspiracy by ICC backed by BCCI to keep Pakistan out of internatinal cricket!!!
Sigh =(
If he is guilty and the police were not able to prove it's case then he will face the Court of God on the Day of Judgement.
If he was in fact innocent, then justice must prevail.
Welcome to the jungle, we've got fun and games!!
Where is extra judicial killing when you need one!
Adlia murdabad.
Wow the man who ended international cricket in Pakistan goes scot free and is showered with rose petals [he also has 40 odd terrorism cases against him].
Was the prosecution team on heroin or what?
One by one all "Strategic Assets" will be released. Good News for sports lovers and rest of the world. I would advise Mr. Monis Ellahi to join ASWJ. No action will be taken against him by any court.
'arrived with armed guards' .. ONLY A MAN REQUIRES ARMED GUARDS. 'ALLAH' provides security, passion, needs, social security, love, loyalty, compassion....... etc. Are these so called MULLAS man??????????
Hence proved, people want him out in the streets again. Actually we were the onces who demonstrated against Mushraf's action of PCO and brought to chair such a wonderful judical systems....! Wel done supreme court
The 'establishment' is not interested in prosecuting such men. If he had attacked the security forces or was a Baluch seperatist, he would have gone missing or met the fate of Salim Shehzad , without ever seeing a judge. However, prosecuting those attacking Lankans, Indians, Afghans is waste of time.
God bless him and his supporters. An eye opener for peace loving Pakistanis. The so called bad boys of police arrest them only for the courts to release them. Jazak Allah!
Coward Judiciary
He's a non state actor & so released. & Aasia bibi is facing death penalty on blasphemy charges & is in jail. Shame on us! & we have the gall to protest against everyother country for oppression! We are truly a violent hypocrat militant nation! Will the Srilankans respect us! Which country will send their team to play with us. Even afghanistan wont! All we know is killing & celebrating killings (qadri)!, or karachi killings! And am not a shia or ahmedi!
He is a notorious sectarian terrorist; the judges must have been under severe pressure from the militant group he is associated with. But at least the judges shouldn’t have released him if they couldn’t punish him
O i see . . one more "Strategic ASSET" given into safe hands now. Well done ISI. So we might see more mumbai attacks in future ?
Azad adliya does not show THIS supporting attitude towards accused people incase of common people. Why?
Look at the fate of poor Christians which are accused in Blasphemy Law. The police case, accusations and evidences always crying loud and clear “we are wrong and this person is innocent” . But I donot know why the so- called azad judges can be hear or see this truth? If you see one thing is common in both situations and that is GUNS. Terrorist have guns (which AZAD judges can see and also heard the firings which writing the release orders of terrorists)and poor Christians do not.
Congratulations! What a shame --- Is this what free judiciary is all about ?
gr8 news isnt it. This is wat happens to ppl who hav long hands. This freakin terorist has killed more than 50 ppl 4m a particular sect. The ppl r afraid to cum to testify against such monsters. And our mighty police keeps on destroyin the freakin evidence.
The prosecution didnt give any evidence against him so it was fair of judiciary to let him go..Problem is weak prosecution by our govt..Now so called liberals can make a lot of fuss abt it but they forget that like him many murderers ,robbers,gangsters are getting bails everyday because of weak prosecution..So dont strt bashing religious beliefs rather look at the real problem which is WEAK PROSECUTION
Have a safe journey back home...because may you will do such thing again and will come back....you know Mr. attacker these has ruined all the rules which gives the chance to people like you to breach and then get free easily...shame on rules...
you can see a small kid among them
Pakistan Zindaabaad. Pak fauj toh zindaabad.
Well done Pakistan. Good news for SAARC and cricket.
judiciary rocks!