Two suspects are already in police custody; the victim is in stable condition. PHOTO: FILE
In the evening on that fateful Tuesday, Murad Amir Shah, 29, was at home with his wife and two young children. A bell rang, and he went to the door. As he opened it, Naveed, a janitor who worked at Murad’s previous office stood before him. Before he knew, Naveed had doused Shah’s face with liquid from a small container. Naveed tried to run, but Shah quickly tackled him and saw his accomplice drive off.
Then the pain began.
The container was full of acid.
Neighbours had come out to see where the commotion was coming from. Fortunately, an NGO that assists acid victims was located nearby. Staff from the NGO gave Shah immediate attention, before rushing him to hospital. Shocked and in a state of disbelief at what happened, his wife, Sakina Ahmed, called his sister in Lahore.
When his sister got to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Burn Care Centre, she was greeted by the sight of her younger brother’s bandaged body, the skin underneath blackened by the acid. Most of his right side --- his face, arm, chest and leg, had been affected. He had third-degree burns on 25% of his body. But there was a silver lining --- he would make it through.
Hospital staff and the victim’s relatives confirmed that Shah is in stable condition and should make a full recovery. However, the timeline for recovery will run into months, and the scarring on his body could take even longer.
While Shah recovers in hospital bed, the police investigation has been progressing. Naveed had been hired by Amir Basharat alias Rocky, who was the accomplice. Both men are residents of Hansa Colony in Sector G-8.
After being brought in by the police, Rocky gave up his paymaster, a woman named Samar. According to Investigation Officer Nusrat Ali of the Golra police, Samar Pervaiz was arrested in Islamabad on Sunday. Ali said Pervaiz and Shah knew each other, and the case seems to the result of spurned advances.
Shah’s brother-in-law was quick to note how thorough the police have been in handling the case and was full of praise for their performance, describing them as “extremely forthcoming, compassionate, and quick”.
When The Express Tribune spoke to Shah on Sunday, he readily admitted to having known Samar before he got married. “I lost touch after I got married. A while into my marriage, Samar tried to get in touch with me, but I refused. I had moved on in life and was happy.”
Samar, it would seem, had not moved forward. According to Shah’s own knowledge of the investigation, “Samar paid Rocky Rs35,000 to attack me. Rocky paid Naveed Rs10,000 and kept the rest.”
Neither Shah nor the police were sure whether the attack was meant to kill or maim, But Shah was confident the police would find out, and that his attackers would be punished. In the meantime, beyond the bandages, Shah still had his trademark wit. Peering over at a live tennis match from the Australian Open, he quipped, “At least my eyes and ears are fine. I can enjoy tennis while I’m here.”
Even though his vital organs and his base senses were not affected, the road to recovery is long. Shah contemplated the future on his hospital bed, wondering about the impact of the burns on his career, which depends on client interaction.
He worried about the impact his wounds were having on his widowed mother, and how she was dealing with the sight of her only son wrapped up in bandages. He was worried about the reaction he would get from his three-year-old daughter and thirteen-month old son.
But, he was still hopeful. “Come what may, the love of my wife and children, my mother, my sisters and my friends will get me through this.” *With additional reporting by Obaid Abbasi
Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (11)
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Dear All,
I know Ms Samar and Mr. Shah very well and their character as well. Whatever happened with mr shah is very low but you can't blame the lady. After mr shah got married he still was in touvh with samar. Samar on many ocassions avoided him but he kept on bothering her. Mr shah and his wife had domestic problems at home as mr shah could not give up on his bad habits like seeing other girls. Before this incident happened mr shah was seeing a girl called asma from nib bank blue area and at the same time he was seeing this other lady ayesha again from nib bank f11 branch. Asma who is now settled in dubai was married (only nikkah) had problems with her husband as he got to know about murad.
Murad had direct link with rocky as rocky wud get him cheap alcohal bottles for him and murad was failed to pay for last few bottles to the guy and told him to lay off and the guy rocky told him that he won't spare him. Naveed was a tea boy at nib when murad was bm of nib. Naveed had a grudge against him as he abused him once.
The lady has been accused because the wife sakina had problems with her too and sakina insisted to get her name in. Many in the town thinks that she could be the real planner but knowing sakina I can surely say she can't do such a think. She went through a lot to keep this marriage.
In the end I would only like to say that Huma "very well known and works for express" should play clean and before talking about someone character she should know why she got divorced from her husband?
I don't want to pin point on people. I just pray that mr murad recovers soon as his mother (when I met) was in more pain. I wish the guilty "naveed" should be hanged and rocky should be sent behind the bars forever. As for samar We all know she is innocent that's why she was bailed out. Please people before commenting one should know the story of both end.
I know of Samar from Islamabad banking circles. Very low character girl comig from rich business family known for hera-pheri type activities. some of her family members involved in fraud and murder cases. Even in the bank she had many issues and many considered her 'psycho'! Now that is proven!
Feel sorry for murad who is a very nice and friendly. I hope he will get justice and people like samar should be locked in for good.
Samar should be publicly hanged or stoned to death! I see 2 crimes here that are punishable: Acid Throwing - 14 to 27 years; and taking advantage of poor uneducated and desperate individuals to do this for 10,000 rupees! This is no different than what terrorists do with suicide bombers targeting innocent young people. This is death sentence!
Police did a great job but I am not sure our justice system will do their part! The girl who comes from a rich family is out on bail, the 2 idiots from the bottom-class who did this for 35 thousand are in jail, and the guys life is ruined with scars for life!
In our society the rich will run away to Dubai or UK, the lower class guys get hanged or do the jail, and the victim will never get any justice. No wonder Talibanism and taking law in own hands is growing.
Only way to deal with acid attacks on any victim is that the culprits have acid thrown back on their faces! Very simple! If court does not provide justice, street justice can be bought for 35k as we just read!!
this girl should be given a long sentence in the jail, no lineancy at all, no bail
now women have also started using this as a form of revenge. Its a matter of hurt ego and nothing else, when we hurt someones ego, they plot revenge. LEts see what happens.
Laws regarding buying/selling acid need to be implemented asap to avoid such senseless and incredibly painful incidents in the future
Did Mr Shah "used" Samar and then got married to another woman? Nothing justifies this kind of attack, I am just curious to know the truth.
i couldnt understand how a lover do this.... actually this type of people are psychological patient having low self esteem......they just want attention at any cost
This is UNBELIEVABLE.. So shockingly UNBELIEVABLE
27 years in jail nothing less.