Screenshot from video which captured the murder of Sarfraz Shah in 2011. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Salik said that he had forgiven the men convicted of his brother’s murder “in the name of God” and did not accept any blood money in return. He also submitted an application in the Sindh High Court for settlement in the case.
Nineteen-year-old Sarfraz Shah was shot by Rangers in the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Park in Karachi on June 8, 2011. The incident was caught on videotape and broadcast on television channels nationwide.
A suo motu notice of the incident was taken by the Supreme Court of Pakistan which had ordered the removal of the Sindh chief secretary and director general of the Rangers and had also ordered a speedy trial of the case.
In August 2011, an anti-terrorism court had sentenced Rangers’ Shahid Zafar to death and condemned the remaining six men to life in prison.
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@zia: No wonder human life has no value in Pakistan. There is no accountability and one can be forgiven for taking a life is unbelievable. So the violence continues!!!!
The video showed quite clearly that the shot man made multiple attempts to grab the Rangers personnel's rifle. Under normal law enforcement rules of engagements I would think that shooting a person trying to snatch a law enforcer's weapon should be the only legal course of action by the law enforcement agent. But of course this is Pakistan, where doing the legal thing will draw you the ire of the media, people, and put you in jail or death row.
I don't understand. Murder is a cognizable offense and does not require a petitioner. How can the borther forgive him? Who will rule out intimidation or bribery?
@USMAN786:
Being party to a murder in unjustly and criminally shooting a man to his death does not get washed away when one of those security officials responsible stupidly hands the dying victim a bottle of water, like as if that was some saint good deed that makes everything okay, instead of rushing him to a hospital for treatment...or not shooting and killing him under arrest in the first place by stopping the illegal public execution.
@Saif:
No this does not happen in other civilized countries. Killing a suspect in custody is called extra-judicial killing. They already had him in custody so they could physically force, even beat under reasonable circumstances, the suspect to lay down so as to arrest them and produce him in court, not insanely shoot him to death 'as a warning' right into his abdomen for only 'arguing' while handcuffed and begging for his life.
Such reasoning is twisted and unfortunate that a sizeable number of Pakistani citizens share it, highlighting the horrendous law and order situation, lack of sensibilities, out of whack ethical or moral compass and acceptance of cruelty and violence.
forgiveness is the best revenge. Indeed a great and noble act.
Last time I forgave someone "in God's name", it was the kid living across the street, who killed my Siamese cat, Mao Billa. (Mao as in Mao Zedong). I don't know how I would react if the same kid killed my brother or if I would forgive him? I still get nightmares and sometimes wake up in the middle of the night weeping over my cat, Mao Billa. That was just a cat and might not have the same sentimental value as, say a human being, but it was still a very painful loss because we used to play hide and seek all the time (he last hid in the kid's backyard who killed Mao for 'trespassing'). Anywhoo, I can barely imagine how someone can forgive the nationally televised killing of their brother, and that too "in God's name." BTW, I threatened to beat that kid with a crow-bar unless he bought me lunch everyday for the rest of the year. It was comforting after the loss because I had extra pocket-money (allowance) with which I bought myself new shoes with lights in their heels that flashed whenever I took a step. But, the forgiveness was still "in the name of God" for all that anyone else cares.
The state cannot apply diyat when the victim's legitimate representatives demand qisas. but it can, and must, proceed to apply whatever punishment is deemed necessary in the best interest of the public at large even after diyat has been agreed and paid. This would include capital punishment if available. In other words, the state is not responsible for the rights of the victim but also those of society and public safety.
What kind of a law is this? Family of accused should not be allowed to take compensation. Murder should be treated as a criminal offence not civil. How can a murderer be freed by the state like that?
his brother took money...........what about his parents,what are their views.........................
Not for God but for gods of land.
Is this some kind of a joke? The victim's brother forgiving the perpetrator? Who is he to forgive the perpetrator? A murder is a crime against society. The people who have the power very well know how to cloak their motives. A pity. And on top of that to look at most of the comments? It's almost as if all the righteous people in this world have gathered in Pakistan. With such thinking, any surprise that it is in the state it is in?
Regardless, State and the department (Rangers) should punish them and make an example. We will not have peaceful society unless all terrorists are punished for their deeds without thinking of who they are.....
Naya Pakistan!
Give them tasers.
The one who can forgive is already DEAD. In the present case, Even his forgiveness would have been irrelevant, as the law here was broken by none other than an agent of State- those who get paid to uphold the law. This is not a family or business or neighbor dispute that can be settled out of court.
What kind of law is this? A licence to kill provided you can obtain pardon from the relative of the deceased.
@Afaq:
Agreed !
Then they say law & order situation in Karachi is not controlled
In a civilized county, this would have been treated as crime against the state. No matter if anyone wants to forgive or withdraw from the case, the state would still punish the criminal.
Justice should be done on the spot with these peoples. Good move Rangers.
The petitioner will not get anything by concluding the prosecution, so he preferred a short cut and beneficial route. It is not for the sake of God but for the sake of his own benefit that a cold blooded murderers were forgiven. There is much to be inquired into this whole episode.
Yeah that is very humanitarian of the rangers shot a guy than offer him water...
When justice is delayed and sentence is not carried out immediately, they always leave space to get scott free. He was a man in uniform not a civilian and he murdered an innocent in cold blood. He should still face prison term
Who will guarantee that he was not forced in this deal? Raymond Davis also was forgiven. Are we setting good examples in our society by forgiving murderers?
I request the higher ups of rangers to kindly ensure weapons are not given to irresponsible hands. It brings bad name to them. The incident ruined the whole family, touched millions of hearts and what a noble act on the part of a civilian who lost his brother. Salute brother!
@USMAN786 , Media did not show a lot of relevant footage. They did not show the part where some people were running after the guy suspecting him of burglary. Rangers tried to ask him to lay down on ground but he kept arguing when they shot at him as a warning just as it would happen in any other country.
I don't believe this, it is mostly likely that they might have been influenced/pressurized to do so.
like rymond devis !
I hope he is not forced into this deal. It would be better if there was a way to compensate that family for what wrong has been done . After all he forgave them in God name.
what the media did not showed was the picture in which the poor guy was offered water by ranger person after being shot
Now WHY would you 'settle' a case after it has already been settled (one of the only few).
A great gesture indeed! You my brother have set an example , kudos.
Even then they should be punished for such a brutal act.
Jazakallah! Brought tears in my eyes for such noble act, May Allah bless you and give Rangers personnel a righteous path.