Mysterious death

The case of Kamran Faisal, found dead in his hostel room a few days ago, continues to grow more and more disturbing. Following an application filed by NAB officers, who have maintained Faisal was killed and did not commit suicide, as the police initially stated, the Islamabad Secretariat Police Station has registered a murder First Information Report in the case. Faisal’s family had rejected the suicide story as well.

There are many complications tied in to the matter, with the Supreme Court also taking notice of it. Kamran Faisal had been one of the investigating officers in the Rental Power Projects (RPP) case and his death came three days after the apex court ordered the prime minister’s arrest in it. Faisal was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room. Since then, there have been claims by NAB officials of pressure put on him possibly to alter the content of the RPP report. Media accounts have also mentioned messages texted by Faisal to a friend, who could yet emerge as the key witness in the whole drama. The Supreme Court has taken suo-motu notice of the matter.



The case has assumed more and more significance, as facts come to light. There are still too many unknowns in the whole matter, and the nature of the investigation Faisal Kamran was engaged in raises suspicions of many kinds. It has become impossible to know where the truth lies and how Faisal Kamran’s life ended so tragically. It seems obvious we need a full, fair and detailed investigation. It must be carried out in a transparent fashion and by individuals who are seen as trustworthy. The Islamabad police do not quite fit this description. Everyone knows it can be manipulated and persuaded to act in a specific fashion. Given the sensitivity of this case, it is important that doubt not be allowed to linger and a definite conclusion be reached. A failure in this regard would be damaging and inflict a great deal of harm, given the gravity of the matter and the possible repercussions that arise from it, affecting both individuals and institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2013.