Sarfraz Shah murder case: Ambulances can’t deal with profuse bleeding from a gunshot: MLO

The victim was shot in a ‘non-vital’ part of his body.

KARACHI:

Ambulances and their paramedics in Karachi do not have essential life-saving equipment or the expertise to staunch profuse bleeding as was the case with Sarfraz Shah who was shot by the Rangers in a park, testified a medical officer dealing with the case.

MLO Dr Ayaz Memon of Jinnah hospital, who is a prosecution witness, was recalled by the defence in the murder case for more questioning before the anti-terrorism court of Bashir Ahmed Khoso on Thursday. He was cross examined in the presence of Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Muhammad Khan Buriro. The case pertains to a 22-year-old who was shot dead in the afternoon. Six Rangers men are standing trial alongwith a civilian. There are accusations that the young man, who is said to have pleaded for medical help, did not get it fast enough.

To a question by defence lawyer Shaukat Hayat, Dr Memon said that if a person is injured and bleeding profusely, ambulances here do not have the kind of equipment and first aid or trained staff who can control it. If there is a fire arm injury (as was in the case of the Safraz Shah murder) or a road accident with this kind of bleeding nothing can be done until the victim reaches a hospital, he testified.

Exactly at 5:35 pm on June 8 the Chippa ambulance service received a request. The ambulance carrying Safraz Shah left for JPMC at 5:45 pm from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Park and reached the hospital at 6 pm. At 6:05 pm Sarfraz was being examined in the emergency ward and at 6:13 pm he died of excessive bleeding, Dr Memon stated.

To a suggestion by Shaukat Hayat advocate, Dr Memon agreed that Safraz was injured in a “non vital part of the body”.

The parks official, Abdul Rasheed Siddiqui, who was also recalled testified to questioning from the defence that the firing took place in a matter of moments. To another question, he said that the food street and other areas around the scene of the crime had been normal and were not terrorised.

During questioning, he said that he went to the police and to court to record his statements on the directives of his superior (director).

Next to be recalled and cross examined on the defence’s request was SI Nasrullah of Boat Basin police station. He answered a few questions about the atmosphere at the park and said that no damage was caused.

The court put off the hearing till Friday morning.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd,  2011.