Kainat and family condemn brother’s death

Kainat Soomro and her family members protested outside the Karachi Press Club condemning the death of Kainat’s brother.

Kainat Soomro, the alleged victim in a Dadu-based gang-rape case, and her family members protested outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, condemning the death of Kainat’s brother, Sabir. They also staged a sit-in and blocked Zaibunissa Street.

Sabir Soomro was kidnapped from Mehar, Dadu, on March 28 and killed in Khuzdar, Balochistan, on Saturday by unknown people and for unknown reasons.

However, Kainat and her family blame the same group of four men who were accused in her gang-rape case - Shaban Sheikh, Kaleemullah Lashari, Ahsan Thebo and Roshan Ali Thebo.

“Now the world knows that the suffering of my family is not made up. It is a reality. Who would want to get their brother killed,” said Kainat, while talking to The Express Tribune.

She said that the body will be taken to their hometown in Mehar where after the burial in the family’s graveyard, they would come back and continue protesting until justice is served.

Furthermore, CCPO Waseem Ahmed and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) MNA Marvi Memon arrived at the press club who negotiated with the protestors to end the protest.

“The CCPO had arranged an ambulance for us and provided us with protection so that we could take the body to our village. We will be going to our village after three years as our opponents [the accused in Kainat’s rape case] threatened us with dire consequences if we enter the village,” said Ghulam Nabi Soomro, Kainat’s father.

Sindh home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza had also assured us that after the burial, the police would register an FIR against the culprits,” he said. A separate report would also be lodged by the Khuzdar police.

Sabir had served nine months in prison in a case filed by their rival group and was released last month.

“I am surprised over the allegations on my clients by Kainat and her family,” said Waqar Shah, the lawyer of the accused in Kainat’s rape case. “They are accusing them unnecessarily and now the case could lead to another level.” If my clients are nominated as the accused in this case, then this will only benefit the actual murderers who will easily get away with the crime, he explained.

The court might treat it as a case of personal tribal enmity and not relate it to the gang-rape case. “This would actually work out in our favour,” said Shah, adding, “We are being blamed because of monetary interests as Kainat is no longer a victim, but a celebrity.”

However, he admitted that Sabir was murdered and both the Khuzdar and Dadu police will investigate the case and “it is up to them now,” Shah added.

The TPO Mehar was not available for comment. Meanwhile, DPO Dadu Ghazi Salahuddin told The Express Tribune that on special orders from the Sindh home minister, arrangements have been made to provide protection to the Soomro family. “The home minister had issued orders to register an FIR of the case. All arrangements were made to ensure security, food and shelter at all times for the Soomro family,” he explained.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28^th, 2010.