The writer is a sub-editor on the web desk of The Express Tribune and has a degree in law from the University of London
As cruel as it may sound, I not only agree with the decision made by the court but laud its valour to resort to such a decision. Many feel this may be another instance of judicial activitism but this is, unfortunately, justice in its raw form.
Some may argue that the sentence is not proportionate to the age of the defendants, however, what they fail to consider is the proportionality of the punishment to the crime committed. One could argue that our religion teaches us to forgive and maybe a less severe punishment is more appropriate, but then you didn’t lose your son, did you?
I am not married, but the closest I have to kids are my nephews. My blood boils when I hear of them being remotely bullied at school; my heart races when they fall off of a swing or scrape their knees — but this was death. The parents of Shahzeb Khan will never see their son again, they will never hear him laugh or experience life again. I am not this boy’s parent, sibling, relative or friend, but the pain they feel is ruthlessly palpable.
How could I forgive the person who took a gun and brutally shot at my child four times? How could I forget the face of my child when he comes to me wrapped in a white shroud? How could I forget the face of the boys who shot my son and then left him to die in cold blood?
This verdict is not only justifiable, it also serves as a lesson to society. The judiciary does not care whose son or daughter you are, what societal status you hold or how much money you have. In front of a judge, you are on your own — disconnected from all those who support you and you will be held accountable for all your actions. There is no escaping it.
This was a necessity. If either Shahrukh Jatoi or Siraj Talpur were excused for their actions, thrown in juvie or a rehabilitation centre or given a sentence, less severe in its nature, you would have made this nation a breeding ground for juvenile murderers.
Many argue that the main cause behind all this is the upbringing of the child and that the parents should be held accountable in this instance and not the child. However, a death sentence to the children of these parents, is the most direct punishment any parent could be given.
Parents should take this verdict as a warning — your child is never old enough to carry arms or ammunition of any kind and not every Tom, Dick or Harry should be hired as a “guard” to protect your children.
I hope that this case comes as a welcome first step towards disarming the people of the country. Weapons are not toys and lives are not games. Only those of age, with enough experience and training should be allowed to man a weapon of any kind.
You cannot commit murder and then roam about scot-free. This verdict has shunned all opinions that drew the conclusion that the upper class will have an upper hand — sources will be used — justice will be tampered with and Shahzeb will be a name lost in history. It is a lesson served and one that should be taken seriously by one and all.
One life is worth waging a judicial war over. Every life is worth waging a judicial war over.
Nobody ever said justice would be lenient.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (16)
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@Mkz: like @khalid nawaz said, guilty verdict is not meant to give pleasure to the victims or their families. Their life has already been taken away but it is to protect civilians from these murderers, it is to protect further casualties. By the way do you even have any reference for this (absurd) research you mention here?! Have you been following the case at all? Did you notice the victory signs and the gestures/shenanigans of the main convict afterwards? Does that tell you he feels any kind of remorse for his actions and that he will not harm your's or mine's loved ones or anyone else?
"Carrying hate around for decades will only bring you a life of misery and will make you feel guilty for killing those two boys"
No, it will only make the society safer. Useless banter and rhetoric without taking into account facts is well..... pointless.
The death penalty for the killers of Shahzeb (RIP) is nothing but a symbolic act. The fact remains that there is an undeclared moratorium on the death penalty for nearly a decade now. Nobody awarded the death penalty has been hanged for a long time now apart from a couple of armymen who came under the jurisdiction of millitary courts. The best outcome we can hope for is life in jail for the convicted killers. Even the self-declared killer of the Punjab Governor is still alive after 2 years. Doesn't that say it all!
This trial was an eye wash to fool people into believing that there is some semblance of justice in this country. Had it not been for the media, this trial would not have seen the light of day. The courts, government and police will try their utmost to free the perpetrators. Even if they are sentenced they will soon 'escape' from prison. The main perpetrator's father is reported to be close to the president. Considering the facts on the ground do you really think that these powerful criminals will spend the rest of their lives in jail, or worse, be hanged?
@Mikz, i am sorry but tooting the poetic horn and being scornful of anybody who supports this verdict does not justify the murderers. I am very happy they have been handed the death sentence, and since we are on the topic, i believe Islam teaches us not only the values, the ethics but the punishments as well to punish the perpertrators. As for "kids", well smiling and pointing "V" signs and then wiping the sweat in the CYGNUS doesnt make Jatoi and Talpur martyrs of judicial activism, it does confirm that they NEEDED to be served with such punishment. Lets see which parent of a victim differs on this. Stop pittying and the criminal for God's sake and please start embracing facts.
Capital punishment for murder is a very fair punishment. Look at the countries where it is implemented and out of fear such crimes are rare to observe. We do not cherish their death sentence, rather cherish justice to be done. Death penalty given to them will not bring Shahzeb back, but seeing the criminals being served hopefully would reduces the chances of creating one more 'Shahzeb Murder's case' from the society. US is not law! If they have reduced the punishments to life imprisonment then look at the proportion of such cases there. The powerful does not misuse their power so publicly. And man look at the non-remorseful faces of these men. I shiver thinking that some more barbarians like these might be present in the society as well, roaming around the streets where I travel with my family.
May everyone be protected from the evil of these men and LET JUSTICE PREVAIL!!!
DEATH TO THE CRIMINALS!
Spot a weak article by looking for the word 'slammed'
@gp65: Appreciate your enlightened outlook, but I hope you understand there is an element of class warfare in this. The fact is the extant criminal justice system has too many loopholes that allow a murderer to walk free. . Do not forget there is course for appeal. Moreover the perpetrator comes from a feudal landlords's family and as per provisions of Pakistan's amended constitution, it is still possible for him to take recourse to a shariah court and escape punishment through payment of blood money.
@Mkz: Its a picture on file that is used everytime they print one of her opinions.
With all due respect, forgiveness should be preceded by remorse from the murderers. Smiling and giving a 'v' for victory sign after such news, by one of the murderers, is inexcusable. I agree with the author- if punishment isn't meted out consistently with the crime, even life imprisonment would suffice- it definitely would leave the door open for other rich and well-connected individuals to use a gun. Just look at America..a few teens get a gun and the sprees begin. An example needs to be set to prevent further incidents.
I agree with you that it is unreasonable to ask the family of the victim to forgive their son's murderes and also the age should not be taken into account once the perpetrator is no longer a minor.
But I do not think death penalty or forgiveness are the only 2 options available. Life imprisonment is definitely an option and that would have been ideal.
This is because I am against death penalty even though my country of birth (India) and adopted country (USA) also have it on their statutes.
Even in Islam, the killers are not let free. So be it.
They got what they deserve FINALLY!.
@Mkz: They are not 2 people dying, they are convicted murderers.
Do you even realise what you are saying?
You are propagating death. You have just become an advocate for killing people. Nor do you seem to understand the undertones of grief. By using quick easy stabs like "How am I supposed to forget" you are trying to say you understand the long and tiresome stages of grief. Your 'blood boiling' is the furthest thing that constitutes and form of 'justice' for citizens.
Research shows that killing murderers does not bring any of the families victims families any 'pleasure'. You seem to have ignored that completely.
Carrying hate around for decades will only bring you a life of misery and will make you feel guilty for killing those two boys. Why do I even have to say this!??!?!