Another day, another reminder that Karachi does not belong to the common man — it belongs to those who can bend the law and intimidate their way through accountability.
Earlier this week, a man named Dheeraj was allegedly assaulted in broad daylight by a man named Salman Farooqi, who, alongside his guards, beat the motorcyclist following a minor accident in DHA. Farooqi's luxury vehicle, his status and the location of the incident all point to the usual equation that power and privilege equals impunity.
Despite clear evidence, and the fact that the altercation also involved threats and humiliation directed at a woman accompanying Dheeraj, the victim stood in court days later and announced his forgiveness. This is not forgiveness. This is fear. And Karachi knows this routine all too well.
Thankfully, in a rare show of judicial integrity, the sessions court rejected the suspect's bail and did not accept the NOC, citing coercion. But the problem runs deeper. How many Dheerajs will be made to fold before we stop normalising this class-based oppression?
Karachi is being hollowed out by a culture that treats working-class dignity as disposable. Until the state begins to protect the weak as much as it shields the strong, the law of the jungle will continue to prevail. No one is above the lawand the court must mete out adequate punishment so that all may know this truth.
Let this not be another case buried under pressure and privilege. Moving forward, it is suggested that all such cases involving high-net-worth individuals must be reviewed by an impartial prosecutorial panel to prevent outside influence and uphold justice.
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