“Sahar was killed because of this one card by the militants, in the presence of hundreds of people,” says Noorul Basar. PHOTO: FILE
News that Lashkar-e-Islam (LeI) members had slaughtered a policeman in broad daylight spread like wildfire throughout Khyber Agency. It was alleged that hundreds of onlookers had personally witnessed this murder in the Spin Qabar area of Akka Khel.
Immediately, the police were asked to verify the claim. Yet, before they had finished inquiries, Mukamal Shah, the general secretary of the Tappa Mohmand Amn Committee, approached the local Badabher police station. He informed the authorities that his cousin and brother-in-law, Aftab Sahar, had been missing for five days and had disappeared from the Akka Khel area. Sahar, popularly known as Qamary, was a taxi driver.
It did not take long to put the pieces together. Informers sent word that the body and clothes indicated the murdered man was Qamary. A police contingent, assisted by volunteers of the local peace militia, reached the area around 2 am and retrieved the mutilated body. The head had been severed and put on his chest. It was, indeed, Sahar.
Why was he killed? Why did the rumours speak of a policeman, not a taxi driver? Essentially, it all came down to a Special Police Force card.
The card was issued to Qamary in 2008 and valid for just one year. Because of this, he was mistaken for a policeman by militants, who brutally killed him to make him an example for other officials. They also took his car.
In actuality, he had nothing to do with the police. He was issued the card simply because his cousin, Mukamal Shah, had insisted his illegal taxi would not be stopped this way.
Qamary leaves behind a widow and five children – three sons, two daughters.
“He was killed because of this one card by the militants, in the presence of hundreds of people,” said his brother Noorul Basar, a local poet. “The most unfortunate fact is that these manslayers are roaming freely.”
The Pakhtun code of conduct prohibits killing of innocent people who cannot defend themselves – an act considered deeply shameful. However, as this incident illustrates the rise of militancy has changed everything.
Noorul Basar has written this poem in memory of Qamary. Through this narrative, he attempts to portray his brother’s feelings at the hour of death. In this way, Qamary – and all those who have suffered a similar fate – are immortalised. It is Basar’s way of making certain that their suffering, the injustice they endured, is not easily forgotten.
Between the Wolves
Is there anyone who will rescue me from the hands of these butchers,
From these men, who are taking me to my death like an animal,
Who will be able to convey my cries to my God,
Who will be able to take my cries and pledges to my mother,
They (these militants) have masked their faces,
They have put a black sheet of cloth on my face too,
(This is a sign that the end has approached)
They have decreed that I am a non-believer,
They have decreed that my killing is valid,
I have been branded an infidel wretch,
Is anybody there to consider me too a true Muslim,
Is anybody there to consider me even a human being,
Can any one stop this brutality,
What religion and holy book advocate this inhuman behavior,
Who will give me a chance to live my normal life like all others,
In this world full of colours,
Alas, everyone on earth listens to your decree,
And my cries are no more than a whispering to the world,
Is anybody there to comfort me at this moment of regret and mourning,
Is anybody there to save me from these biting beasts,
Once my head is cut off like an animal head,
Of what use will be the cries of the whole world,
Of what use will be the cries of heaven and earth,
Once I am dead,
The cries of human beings and animals are of but little use to me,
What if my death is condemned by judges and victims alike with one voice,
It is of no use at all,
Is anybody there to listen to his brother,
The Pukhtuns are suffering like animals in this world,
I have a right to live,
I have a father and mother,
I have a family and household,
My mother has been awaiting my return,
Don’t kill me in this manner, it is a great shame for any Pukhtun to die this death of an animal,
It will be a shame for my tribe and family forever.
Poem written by slain taxi driver’s brother
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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and its disgusting that some people are living in a state of denial.. time stand up and call a spade a spade...
@Riaz: Do you have contact number of Noorul Basar,want to request him for original Pashto version of this poem?Thank You.
Can we have the Pashto version for an improved translation.
"They have decreed that I am a non-believer, They have decreed that my killing is valid, I have been branded an infidel wretch,"
A wider question - Why is it necessary to declare some one infidel( non believer ) before killing ?. Probably to justifying the killing Is this justification derives from religion ? I fail to understand it. All religions are for the betterment of the mankind.
.1400 years ago there were constant battles between the followers of Islam and the non believers of Islam. In the context of these regular fights the non believers might have been declared to be wazib ul katl. . This context does not exist after 14 centuries. So i feel the spirit ( and not the words) of the declaration requires to be followed. It pains. i do not know if this post will be allowed for viewing or not. .
follow the Sri lankan approach. kill them all. donot close ur eyes Kiayani sahib. i can not expect from AAZ or NS
Another example of how Taliban do not respect the tribal Pakhtunwali, as Imran Khan wrongfully claims.
"They have decreed that I am a non-believer,
They have decreed that my killing is valid,
I have been branded an infidel wretch,
Is anybody there to consider me too a true Muslim,
Is anybody there to consider me even a human being,"
I hope the brother finds peace, and so does the departed soul. The words tell us the tradition that we live under. A non-believer, a Kafir who is not a dhimmi is wajib ul qatl. Is he not? We have been killing the non believers on this land for centuries. Our tradition is to kill the Kafirs or make them pay jiziya with humility as the Quran commands. This tradition is running up against the modern world of a global village and the Kafirs around the world are horrified to see our traditions and mindset. That is why we can burn the Christians and there is no real outcry. That is why we can dig up the graves of the Ahemdis and there is hardly a reaction. Who cares about the many hindus shot, or forcibly converted over the years. Who cares about the Kafir wretches amongst us?
Land of pure.
Between the Wolves Is there anyone who will rescue me from the hands of these butchers, From these men, who are taking me to my death like an animal, Who will be able to convey my cries to my God, Who will be able to take my cries and pledges to my mother, They (these militants) have masked their faces, They have put a black sheet of cloth on my face too, They have decreed that I am a non-believer, They have decreed that my killing is valid, I have been branded an infidel wretch, Is anybody there to consider me too a true Muslim, Is anybody there to consider me even a human being, Can any one stop this brutality, What religion and holy book advocate this inhuman behavior, Who will give me a chance to live my normal life like all others, In this world full of colours, Alas, everyone on earth listens to your decree, And my cries are no more than a whispering to the world, Is anybody there to comfort me at this moment of regret and mourning, Is anybody there to save me from these biting beasts, Once my head is cut off like an animal head, Of what use will be the cries of the whole world, Of what use will be the cries of heaven and earth, Once I am dead, The cries of human beings and animals are of but little use to me, What if my death is condemned by judges and victims alike with one voice, It is of no use at all, Is anybody there to listen to his brother, The Pukhtuns are suffering like animals in this world, I have a right to live, I have a father and mother, I have a family and household, My mother has been awaiting my return, Don’t kill me in this manner, it is a great shame for any Pukhtun to die this death of an animal, It will be a shame for my tribe and family forever.
InshAllah, we'll win against these butchers. They shamed Islam too and still on that way.