Stark reality: Family of slain journalist struggles to find closure

Tariq Aslam Durrani was the sole bread-winner for his family.


Baseer Qalandar April 25, 2013
Tariq Aslam Durrani was the sole bread-winner for his family. PHOTO: FILE

PESHAWAR:


Muhammad Faiz immediately left Karachi after hearing his nephew, the sole bread winner of his family, was killed in an explosion targeting an Awami National Party corner meeting on April 17. Faiz narrates the story of his nephew, Tariq Aslam Durrani, in long perturbing pauses.


Tariq was born in 1958 in Peshawar. Ten years ago, when the country’s situation was not as bad as today, he moved to Thailand where he dealt in gemstones, jewellery and garments. “He was earning a lot, but then everything changed,” said Faiz fighting a lump in his throat.

After spending four years in Thailand, Tariq returned to Pakistan to look after his family, especially his father, who was suffering from asthma. He also sold his property to pay for the weddings of his two sisters.

After returning to Pakistan, Faiz said Tariq began selling cars and engaging in small businesses. During this time, his father passed away and his uncle Anwar Durrani was severely injured in an accident. Tariq was now the sole source of income for his family. “He was a hard worker who never turned away from circumstances. He knew how to survive,” said Faiz with tears streaming down his face.



Tariq has four sons: 13-year-old Suleman, 12-year-old Haris, Shahkar, 10, and six-year-old Jalal Khan Durrani.

Qasim Ali Durrani, Tariq’s nephew, said when his uncle’s business suffered due to the deteriorating law and order, he joined an Urdu newspaper as a sub-editor and administrative officer in 2009. Tariq rarely had time to meet people between handling a full-time job and supporting his family and uncle, who was also facing financial hardships, he added.

“Everyone dies, but Tariq left us in a critical situation with no light at the end of the tunnel,” said Qasim. “I don’t know how he supported everyone with such a meagre salary.”

An accountant at Tariq’s newspaper, Afghan Mehmood, said he was assigned additional administrative duties because of his dedication and punctuality. “His initial salary was Rs6,000, but after he took on more responsibility it was raised to Rs10,000,” said Mehmood. He added Ali Shami, the son of editor-in-chief Mujeebur Rehman Shami, handed over a cheque of Rs100,000 to Tariq’s family after his demise.

“I cannot forget rushing inside the ward and seeing my uncle’s body lying on a slab in the Lady Reading Hospital,” said Qasim in between sobs. He said the explosion had killed Tariq instantly, adding half his body had been mutilated by the ball bearings used in the bomb. The children still do not understand what has happened, he added. “Haris (Tariq’s son) curiously watches the door in the evening and asks his mother when his father will return from work.”

Tariq’s eldest son Suleman said his father had not attended the gathering as a supporter, questioning why then he had been targeted

“I don’t know who killed my father or why. No one would pardon someone who took away their father. My mother screams day and night, and I don’t know how to console her,” said Suleman.

Faiz said no one had offered the family a helping hand other than Khyber-Pakhtunkwa (K-P) Information Secretary Azmat Hanif Orakzai and Director of the K-P Directorate of Information Shoaibuddin, who attended Tariq’s funeral. “No other government official even contacted us. They are in no mood to compensate our loss,” lamented Faiz.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2013.

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