Shot in cold blood

In a rather unfortunate incident, Rangers’ officials shot dead a man in Karachi, when he failed to pull his car over despite their signal. DG Rangers has taken notice of the incident and ordered the immediate suspension and detention of the accused individual, while an FIR has been filed, implicating at least five Rangers personnel. A thorough inquiry must be launched and concluded in a timely manner so that justice can be served.

While the violent situation in Karachi demands the presence of Rangers, the heavy-handedness of the authorities, including the Rangers, is not something new. In the past, we have seen how the law-enforcement authorities have manhandled innocent civilians. This is not the first time something like this has happened, case in point being the Sarfaraz Shah case, which was caught on camera. Incidentally, Sarfaraz’s family has now decided to withdraw the case. Visuals of Sarfaraz pleading to the Rangers to let him go at the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Park in Clifton, while they shot him point-blank, cannot be erased from our memories. They are a stark reminder of how, sometimes, our law-enforcement agencies violate the law. Karachi’s security situation is already precarious. Criminals of all sorts roam the city’s streets with impunity and a sense of privilege, yet no action is taken against them. Instead, innocent civilians usually come in the line of fire.

Such actions by law-enforcement agencies do not make the lives of citizens any easier. Rangers and other law-enforcement agencies are meant to protect them, instead of targeting them needlessly. As it is, people feel that the powerful are above the law and they have nowhere to go to redress their grievances. The government must take action against all security officials who make the lives of citizens difficult or take the law in their own hands. Security officials need to be careful with their actions and made accountable for breaking the law. Karachi has seen enough violence of late. It is now time to heal the wounds of its citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2013.                                                                                          

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