The guard who allegedly shot Hamza, Amal, is still on the run but the family is satisfied with the police investigations. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
The family of Shoaib, who is currently in jail for his alleged involvement in Hamza Ahmed’s murder, is trying hard to make sure their son is not declared a ‘killer’.
As news reports insist on calling Shoaib the new Shahrukh Jatoi - the main suspect in the murder of 20-year-old Shahzeb Khan - his family points out that he did not run away and is helping the investigators because he is not guilty.
“My son has never touched a gun in his life,” says Shoaib’s father, Naveed Ahmed, in his first interview since his guard allegedly shot Hamza after the two boys had an argument. “He did not kill anyone. Unlike Shahrukh who ran away, my son surrendered himself.” He insists the guard is the one solely responsible for the murder.
The family was frightened into keeping guards in the first place. Some time ago, their Toyota Corolla car was snatched on main 26th Street in DHA, while another time he and his wife were mugged at gunpoint. This, coupled with frequent reports of kidnappings in DHA, forced them to hire private guards. “The elections were coming up and Shoaib would go for tuitions at odd timings,” he explains. The family hired two security guards from Car Desler. “The law and order situation made us keep escort guards.”
The family was, however, reluctant to keep guards. “We don’t believe in the arms culture but what are we supposed to do. It is the responsibility of the police to protect us, but when they have failed, what other option did we have?”
The guard who allegedly shot Hamza, Amal, is still on the run but the family is satisfied with the police investigations. They believe he will be caught soon.
Shoaib’s dream of breaking records
A top student at the Bay View Academy, Shoaib dreamt of breaking records in this year’s O’ Level Cambridge Examinations. “He wanted to get the best results. He was studying so hard,” cried Saima, his mother.
Showing his numerous medals and last year’s A* mark sheet, even his father’s eyes welled up. “We had been saving Shoaib’s certificates so that he could get into a foreign university,” his father murmured, looking down at the floor. Currently behind bars, Shoaib won’t be able to take his O-Levels’ physics paper that is scheduled on Thursday.
Behind the lockup
Shoaib is currently in the lockup at the Artillery Maiden Police Station. “My son is such a soft-hearted person,” says his mother, her voice turning shaky. “He has never been involved in fights, and today he is staying with criminals.”
On the day of the incident, Saima remembers Shoaib looking tensed and nervous as he left the house, promising to return in five minutes. Later, she came to know that he had gone to clarify some issues with Hamza and apologise for any misunderstandings.
Sympathising with Hamza
The parents feel sorry for Hamza’s family and admit that it is a huge tragedy. “Hamza was like my son,” the father says. “My son would be turning 17 on May 21 and Hamza would have turned the same age only a week later on May 28. He did not deserve such a death.”
The family even paid a visit to Hamza’s house for condolences but were turned away by some angry people. “We understand the pain of Hamza’s family but we want them to realise that Shoaib is innocent. It was not his fault. He did not give orders to kill Hamza.”
Naveed plans to start a campaign for Shoaib as well, since he believes the media is making his son go through a trial on its own. “Let justice be done. Let the courts and the police decide. No one else should judge my son.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 7th, 2013.
Correction: In an earlier version of the article, the word "snatched" was misspelled as "snatch" in the fourth paragraph. The error has been rectified.
COMMENTS (42)
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I feel badly for what has happened for both sets of parents. But I feel Shoaib should be allowed to give his O'level exams...as said before innocent until proven guilty and not the other way around.
so what they are saying is shoaib is not responsible for murder and the guard is 'solely responsible' for this henious crime. .ok. . ! But i don't comprehend why gauard shooted hamza? I don't think a guard can be so mad that he attacked hamza without any reason, or just coz of a slap or just coz of orders of shoaib. . ! It seem shoaibs family is making a sacrifical goat out of poor guard!
The famous Charles Manson of California too never killed but still rots in jail responsible for many deaths.....
If the police have Shoaib behind bars, they must possess evidence that will eventually come up in court. From what one read in the papers, Shoaib ordered his guard to shoot Hamzah dead. If it is the case, such killings on a whim must be punished to show these youngsters of the gun culture, they can not kill with impunity. If he is as brilliant as claimed by his mother, more reason for him to apply humane, civilised ways in life. My support and sadness lies with Hamzah's family. Nothing will bring him back. To be shot dead over a trivial matter under any circumstances is unjustifiable. His family need justice to begin recovering from their tragic loss.
@naeem hussain: nope, there are none. you are confusing the shoaib with hamza.
There are people praying for Shoaib. People who don't know him. Please don't worry so much about his exams. Insha Allah there will be many other opportunities. We do not understand the ways of Allah SWT, but we have been told, sometimes what seems bad has good in it. Trust in Allah. Pray for Hamza's departed soul. Pray for Hamza's family to find sabr, because they have been through the buggest tragedy. Insha Allah, Allah willmlisten to someone's prayers for Shoaib also. Ameen.
for those of you who knew shoaib- not even personally, just had seen him around, had a conversation, you would know that he is not one capable of something so heinous.
@SpeakTruth: Tell me this.....This child has surrended and the family is co-operating from the looks of it....hence there is no news....The media did not demonise Shahrukh unjustly...Blatant disregard for law and life....Killing somebody in cold blood and then fleeing to DXB....does it not show disdain for the law...If he is a man enough to hold a gun to someone's head he should have very well taken the heat that followed....And during his time in "prison" he looks nothing but well rested, satified and much more smug!..Like putting an end to someone's life and destroying the family was all in a day's work...! Yes we have stereotyped people like Sharukh Jatoi.....but tell me if we have done so incorrectly? And before anyone of you launch head-on into the debate into urban Vs rural Sindh..it has nothing to do with this.......Im very well acquainted with both victims and their families...and I can tell you how much they suffer everyday since then...so please dont even try to justiy or dignify Shahrukh Jatoi or draw parrallels....
It is not the first fight between teenagers and it surely will not be the last. Sadly I have lived through it and I am sure countless others have had similar experiences while growing up in Karachi It used to be just about fist fights but then it moved to guns. Not by any way helped by the 'feudals,' one of whom may have even been called for 'back up.' Both families and kids have suffered through fault and no faults of their own. It is easy blaming individuals but it is the prevalent culture that needs to change... Parents need to be stricter when they hear of their children partaking in such displays of machoness. New laws should be promulgated to ensure stern action by police, to curb the phada culture. Everyone doing their part society, politicians and police.
shoaib is innocent
How stupid is the title of this article. You may as well say 'My son has never killed anyone before'!!
Parents of both boys are equally responsible for the death of a young kid. Girl freinds ,parties, guards, exotic gadgets, expensive cars, gangs of freinds, booze, all mix well for an early unnatural death in any society. You sow waht you reap
I hope sanity prevails.
I feel sorry for both the teenagers. But I think there is some fault in the brought up of these kids. Being engaged in affairs is not required, education should have been made 1st priority of both of them. Were the parents so busy in their life that they were negligent of what was going on.
These are the consequences of Western Media and Western style education. Although it is good to acquire education but the environment should not have to be Western.
@Think: Well-said. i couldn't agree with you more. All of the above sentiments are non-valid. You hit a nerve spot-on.
Their toyota corolla was SNATCHED not snatch! Ugh angriaizi seekh lo
"Justice delayed is justice denied " as in Shahzeb case if the justice had been served no one had showed courage to do it again and if or not Shoaib is guilty or not but somebody had killed Hamza then most important thing is that Justice should be served timely.
There are so many pictures of him carrying guns
Another two families victimized by the horror of this failed STATE (as law and order is exclusively state's responsibility). May God give them extra-ordinary strength and patience to deal with this life long tragedy.
their Toyota Corolla car was snatch on main 26th Street in DHA
Another innocent dead and our pathetic Police will never be able to find the culprit. I say, why don’t we just fire all the police and let people settle scores among themselves. The Police, if anything, makes it difficult to get justice in this land of the pure.
First and foremost my deep condolences to the family of Hamza and my sympathies to the family of Shoaib.
No matter what the outcome, this will be a lose/lose for everyone involved.
I do feel there are a lot of inconsistencies here that only serve to create a lot of doubt in my mind about what may have happened. I think that Shoaib is innocent until proven guilty but so is the guard! I think you are quick to assume that the guard did it. We don't know all the facts yet and the investigation is not yet complete.
The statement that Shoaib "never touched a gun in his life" is indicative of the parents naïveté or perhaps this is the story they wish to stick to for "practical" reasons, however it is likely not true.
The assertions that Shoaib was "looking tense and nervous" is a double edged sword. Was he nervous because his so called friend was going to confront him about something he felt guilty about, or was it something more sinister ... was he nervous because he had murder on his mind.
Visiting the grieving family when your son might actually be the murderer was a really thoughtless and inconsiderate thing to do. It shows that either you have no idea what it meant or that you don't care at all and are just worried about PR
In any case, I think we need to let the investigation conclude and the court case to come to a verdict and it would behoove Shoaib's family to give full cooperation.
It seems like ET is just giving one side of the story - the alleged murderers. This has gone on so much it has become sickening and that blog recently was just horrific.
Pakistani's cannot be THAT ignorant that they believe just because someone is an A-student they cannot be a murderer.
Every rape case in the world has defendants who defend the character of the rapist saying 'oh, he could never rape, he is so kind/successful/can get women whenever he wants'.
There are very few people who are murderers (or rapists) for life, most are murderers just once.
This is an attempt to make a soft corner for Shoaib.
Whoever is guilty..but both families are suffering..I hope justice will be served.
The rich in Pakistan live in a differnt world. They do not feel that their actions invoke, Hate, Misery and even Murder.
Offcourse Shoib did not pull the trigger but his actions provoked the sitution that the trigger was pulled, by Whoes hand is not important.
Like Sharukh murder case the family is simply looking to save their skin. One the skin is saved the rampt bad behaviour lead by the HAVES of this country will continue and more will be murdered.
If the two cases are not made example of then imagine the small gogs that roam our streets, who kill and make chaos in lifes of people whoes names are not worth the air time will continue.
again and again and again...
Another innocent dead and our pathetic Police will never be able to find the culprit. I say, why don't we just fire all the police and let people settle scores among themselves. The Police, if anything, makes it difficult to get justice in this land of the pure.
Please People....Get Your Facts Straight.... You Can Ask The Police For Proper Details...They Have Made Progress In This Case...
its Hamza who played with fire, at such a young age hes having such relation which he cant handle in state like Pakistan. About shoaib theres no eye witness either he order the guard to shoot or not. if they are so mature to have such relation why don't they study on their own. according to my point of view their parents are the one to blame.
How are someone's grades relevent to a murder investigation ! How would a father know if their son had ever handled a gun outside of the home ! What mother would not argue there Son is the most Innocent in the world ! How was a mere hired security guard able to evade Police for such a long time !
Shoaib was tense went to Hamza with guard now Hamza is dead !! unless the guard had a clear enough personal motive beside that of Shoaib's (who had a problem to resolve with the deceased and who lied to the parents that i ll back in 5) its not very difficult to put two and two togather. Ofcourse there's always a first time in the teenage wiff of the moment to handle a gun for the first time or order for someone to be shot ! What's curious is how did a hired private security guard turned into a gun for hire that too on command of a teenager??
@SpeakTruth: No one targeted Sindhis in Jatoi's case but feudal culture definitely and rightly so! Don't try to use the Sindh card to justify a merciless cold blooded murder. These two cases aren't the same. Besides, it is very true that we ARE tired of the feudal culture.
Being a good student does not mean you can't murder someone. Innocent until proven guilty but he deserves no sympathy either. Let the investigations be done and let the truth come out. He may as well be innocent (or maybe not) but surrendering by itself, does not necessarily mean you are all innocent either.
@SpeakTruth: It is not double standard " it is the standard". Wait for the next incident when a Sindhi or Baloch is alleged and how this free media and civil society will be vocal. Father Jatoi is a Feudal lord . No he is not he is petty business man like father of this is alleged murderer boy? Father jatoi is PP man . No he was not. So much so that one editor of ET wrote an editorial. This was the lowest point of ET partisanship If you talk to police they tell you that fights and scuffles in defence and cliffton is routine business. Even if one accepts that both boys who died were at fault ,even then no body has right to kill them. Killers once proven ,who ever they are should be punished as per law. Allah gives courage to families who lost their loves ones , to pursue perpetrators.
Sharukh and Siraj are paying the price for one thing and one thing only their last names and nothing else.
I don't know how things are like in Karachi, but teenagers, & even some young adults, are very fond of showing power through their armed guards or group of boys, here in Lahore, and yeah, they love to play this game of "phada/phaday" just to prove a point among their peers & school fellows. Both sides are responsible, first there was a provocation & then came an unnecessary reaction, whose at fault? PARENTS! Parents need to stop giving so much leeway to teenagers of today, please keep some control over them, fighting over girls is one of the silliest & stupidest things to do at such a tender age, & look what happened! One family has already suffered, the other is going to suffer too, even though murderer is not Shoaib. Let police do their job, if he ordered or not, to shot Hamza, let courts decide his fate.
there is always a flip side of the story....It is so easy to hate an evil...but this is just a tragedy....we have lost one already...let's not lose another one...while we saw blatant arrogance and indifference in Shahrukh's case....this situation tears at my conscience...
'snatched' is the correct word.
Don't know what to say after reading it all. Feel sorry for both the families.
Media never reported in any slightest positive way for ShahRukh Jatoi, he was portrayed convict before conviction. But what a double standards of so called Free-Media, we see more articles and blogs here in favor Shoaib rather than Hamza. Hamza was mercilessly killed but his killer is getting preferential treatment in media. ET was giving daily update on Shazaib murder case but now we dont see news pouring in so rapidly, because you all know very obvious reason, in former case, Sindhis were easy prey to be demonized using feudal terminology while businessman from one major community of Karachi is hard to criticize. Because this doesn't suit their holier than thou community.
I feel sorry for both the teenagers.
One was killed by the Security Guard and the other is behind the bars, though he did not killed Hamza Ahmed.
Let's see what happens next?
ET you guys are involved in this whole sham of declaring a child guilty before he has been tried in a court of law. Innocent until proven guilty. You guys should be more professional instead of just trying to over dramatize the situation without proper facts. Shameful.