"My Shahzeb is gone but I want other youngsters to remain safe," DSP Aurangzeb Khan, Shahzeb’s father.
A day after he lost his only son, 20-year-old Shahzeb Khan - allegedly at the hands of a young man with strong political backing - he told his wife and daughter to hold back their tears and fight for justice.
“There is no point weeping,” he said, soon after the funeral prayers. “We won’t live in depression. We will get our son’s killers punished.”
At his residence in Country Club Apartments, a composed Khan showed a picture taken at his daughter’s wedding. “Look at his face,” he said, pointing to his son dressed smartly in a formal suit. “I feel that he is questioning me. Asking me what I am doing for him, what are others doing for him.”
On December 25, Shahzeb was killed allegedly by Shahrukh Jatoi near Mubarak Masjid in DHA over a petty argument. DSP Khan, who has been wearing black clothes since that day, said that his fight is not only for his son.
“My Shahzeb is gone but I want other youngsters to remain safe.” He said that those in power think that their kids can get away with all sorts of crime because they have enough money to bribe anyone they want. “I want to put an end to this.”
For the past week, DSP Khan has been working day and night, trying to reach police officers and other people who can help him investigate the case. Helpless in front of his own department, DSP Khan was not in favour of his son joining the police force. “My son wanted to be a police officer like me but I was against it. I wanted him to stay away from this field.”
“How can someone kill another person like that,” he asked, recalling the incident when Talpur’s servant verbally harassed his daughter and Shahzeb jumped to her rescue. “I had settled the dispute, even then Shahrukh Jatoi killed him,” he regretted. “Jatoi fired three shot in the air and he kept shouting: ‘I am Shahrukh Jatoi, son of Sikander Jatoi. You may have sorted out the issue with the Talpurs but I am not done yet. I will not leave you.’”
Had he known that Shahrukh was waiting for Shahzeb on the corner of the street, he would have made him stay. “I thought Shahrukh was just bluffing. I thought he had gone. But he was waiting.” A few minutes later, he received a call from Shahzeb’s friend, telling him that his son was shot and was being taken to Ziauddin hospital.
DSP Khan has indeed witnessed a father’s worst nightmare, but he is determined to stay strong for his son. “I do want to break down at times. I raised him and I buried him.”
The father has immense faith in the youth that has mobilised after Shahzeb’s death. This movement will put an end to such nonsense killings in the city, he claimed. “Hundreds of fearless youngsters are behind me. No one can harm us.”
After a week of non-stop struggle, Khan admitted that he may be able to sleep peacefully now that the chief justice has taken notice of the killing. The courts will wake the police up from their slumber and the culprits will be arrested soon, he said.
The online movement that began after Shahzeb’s death has reached out to Pakistanis abroad. A protest was organised in London recently and another one is planned in Egypt for January 9.
“I was planning to send Shahzeb abroad for his Master’s, but fate had other plans for him. He was meant to save other Shahzebs.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2013.
COMMENTS (17)
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To all those people who are talking about justice for other Pakistanis killed or murdered every day, we should stand for any injustice anywhere in Pakistan and we will, it has been proven in Shahzeb's case. We should take this as an example and learn from all the friends of Shahzeb's who despite few in numbers stood up and used social and other media to raise the issue and touched hearts around the globe. Pakistani when stand united can accomplish anything, if we can get independence from British and the Indians, for sure we can also get rid of all the evils which prevail our country right now. But we can’t just go blindly on the streets, we must move forward in an organized manner and with proper leadership. Congratulations to all the friends of Shahzeb Khan, and especially to Shahzeb Khanzada for raising this issue in a way that even Supreme Court had to intervene, Shahzeb Khan must be so proud of them, and from us too for sharing this with rest of us. Your cries didn't go in vain Shahzeb. Some milestones have been achieved still the job is not fully done yet, the culprits have to be brought to justice and given the exemplary punishments so that others like Jatois and Talpurs would think twice before committing such senseless crimes.
I believe that Shahzeb's murder should be taken very seriously and I strongly urge my fellow Pakistanis that if we don't stand up now then I don't know when or what will make us stand for our rights. Very well said by Shahzeb Khanzada that after the recent rape incident in New Delhi where millions stood up and raised their voice and walked hand in hand peacefully it brought the Indian Govt to its knees and forced renewed legislations favoring women rights. Why can't we do that, what stops us? We have been corrupted to the core and I hope now we rise, cause It's about time. Let this not be for just Shahzeb Khan but to prevent any future tragedies like Shahzeb's.
We are with you SIR
I can feel your pain as on 6th March 2009 my Father Syed Shabir Hussain Shah was murdered in Peshawar and I was confident to get justice as killer was caught red handed but after fighting 3 years in session court the outcome was very disappointed now the case is in Peshawar High Court for past 1 year and i am not very hopeful as this is what happens in Pakistan, the law in pakistan force people to take justice in your own hands. I pray for you to get justice but dont have high hopes. Take Care
We will have to bury the bodies of those honourable shaheed civilian youngsters who sacrifice their lives in protecting their wealth, their houses, the honour of their sisters, mothers, females of their neighbourhood and sometimes protecting their own lives. There are many young officers in law enforcing authorities who have sacrificed their lives in protecting the rights of innocent citizens of Islamic Republic of Pakistan in recent history but, unfortunately, our law making institutions are in deep sleep. They do not make amendments in the Law introduced in 1835 to meet the needs of present time. Therefore, even police catch these cruel beasts get free from courts due to week laws and some times due to their family background.
We all should strive to strengthen the hands of our courts and law enforcing agencies to punish these mindless cruel beasts.
As a nation we have forgotten the causes of creation of Pakistan and basic values of our culture. We have forgotten the price we paid for freedom. Without justice societies do not exist long. Allah swt impose ZALIM rulers/nations upon unjust nations.
Recent history has recorded some unthinkable incidents eg Rwanda. It is very humble request to Law Maker Institutions to make amendments in the law to meet present challenges and it is requested to our courts very submissively to punish criminals as soon as possible and make them example for others mindless criminals.
A couple of years ago there were riots in some cities in the UK. The honourable courts commence to work 24 hours to punish those involved in criminal activities. Why Pakistani honourable courts can’t work for extra hours to bring law and order situation under control.
Police and law enforcing agencies should take a forceful step to enforce law and not listen to these corrupt politicians, jageerdars and officers. Otherwise as our honourable DSP sahib being a police officer unable to do anything for his innocent GHAIRMAND brave shaheed son we all may have to face these kinds of situations.
Shahrukh and Mr. Jotoi, both seem to be real monsters. No matter how influential they may be, simply can't escape, and Insha-Allah, will face the outcome of what they themselves have opted for.
This is a high time when Pakistanis should stand for justice and rule of laws. People are being killed over petty issues just because they know they'll get away with anything!
justice should be done within 1 month and death penalty should be given to both of them.
I am a Peace loving person but fully agree with Baba Ji! Hope both monsters are killed in encounter.
We all want justice..... Killer should be punished.
In Pakistan there is no fight till the end ... The poor DSP is in for long long suffering at the hands of law ... My sincere advice to him is to find them and kill them ... thats what Islam also tells us ... an eye for an eye !!!! rest is up to you people ....
this is a heartbreaking story. can't even read it I have no idea how can one endure such a loss. The killers are inhuman, cruel, merciless animals..they must be punished.
we all are with shahzaib family and INSHALLAH culprit come in Jail Soon. CJ zindaabad.
@zaman: Not just untouchables but also their supporters in media who shamelessly defend feudal culture in Pakistan
sir we will not cry, we will inshallah make them cry.
Aurengzeb, I know you from years, I know your feelings,this is great loss for us.
But , I must tell you, that whole Pakistanies and even other countries people stand with you, until killers attrest and punishment.
We, our family are very much with you we really miss Shahzeb
Inshallah Allah will help you get justice for your Son. Pakistan has many untouchables who think they can roam around freely killing people but they are not men when they kill a defenceless man they the cowards run leave the country because they themselves are scared of death they can run but they can't hide. May Allah give strength to the family of Shahzeb Khan.
Not alone, Sir. Not alone.