Forgotten glory: The tale of Benazir’s armoured truck
It is this very vehicle that saved the leader’s life in explosions at her homecoming rally near Karsaz in 2007.
The truck, a partially damaged, armour-plated beast, stands at the Aziz Bhatti police station in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. There are splinters on the front, and a visible mark of a bullet on the window.
It is this very vehicle that saved the leader’s life in the twin bomb explosions at her homecoming rally near Karsaz on October 18, 2007.
Today, it serves as temporary accommodation for some policemen.
Worth its weight in gold
The truck that kept Benazir safe in the bombing that killed 150 people and left around 400 injured, first gained media publicity when the leader announced her return to Pakistan after ending self-imposed exile in 2007. Given the looming security threats, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) purchased the truck and former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza supervised its modification. Mirza reportedly spent Rs2.7 million, equipping it not only with an armour-plated flatbed, but also placing all luxury items inside, including an air conditioner, a couch, a double bed, television, and toilet facility.
Today, all these luxury items are missing, and the mammoth, dilapidated structure stands wrapped in blue rag-like pieces of cloth.
A roof for nomadic policemen
Although the Karsaz incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Bahadurabad police station, the truck currently rests at the Aziz Bhatti police station, due to parking issues. Here, it continues to serve as temporary lodging for officers in need.
“When all quarters at the Aziz Bhatti police station were occupied, our officials asked to live inside the truck,” says a head police constable, wishing to remain unnamed. “We spent a few days there until alternative arrangements were made.”
An additional sub-inspector reiterates this usage of the vehicle.
“A few months ago, heavy rain lashed the city. Some cops lived here because their quarters had weak roofs that started leaking,” he remarks. “The truck is on its last legs, so there’s no harm in using it as temporary abode.”
Clueless authorities
Ironically, Bahadurabad SHO Irfan Asif had no knowledge about the whereabouts of this truck. “Yes, the blast took place in my jurisdiction,” says Asif. “But I have no idea where it [the truck] is being kept.”
Furthermore, Aziz Bhatti SHO Muhammad Akram Araen disputes reports that any cop has ever lived inside. “We have deputed two cops to look after it at all times. This is an asset for us. How can we dare spoil it?” he exclaims indignantly.
Of negligence and lost investigations
It is difficult to forget the twin blasts, and the ensuing chaos – the flames, the charred bodies, the madness. And yet, the investigations are still shrouded in a cloak of mystery.
Even years later, investigators are still probing into the incident. According to former Sindh advocate general Fatah Malik this truck can play an important role until the case is disposed.
“If the PPP or any other government is going to re-investigate this case and the truck is shattered or missing, the inquiries will be considered incomplete,” explains Malik, adding that the government should take measures to preserve the vehicle.
PPP leader Waqar Mehdi, on the other hand, places blame solely at the police for the negligence.
“Actually, the case is sub-judice and the vehicle is still court property. That is why we cannot take it in our custody,” he says. “This can only be possible after the disposal of the case.”
Crux of the issue
According to many police personnel, the use of the truck in such a manner stems from a severe shortage of lodging. There are eight to ten quarters for personnel around the police station, but most have allegedly been rented out to civilians by senior police officers.
“Our high ups treat us like flood victims,” said a cop living in a mosque located inside Aziz Bhatti police station. “The seniors get up to Rs8, 000 in rent per quarter, and compel us to live in other make-shift places.”
Corners of the mosque reveal shoes, uniforms, and other personal belongings of those holed up inside.
SHO Araen refutes the allegations. “We have not given residential quarters to outsiders, police personnel are using them,” he says. “However, there are more policemen than available facilities. It is the government’s responsibility to provide them accommodation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2013.
Correction: In an earlier version of the article, the date of the Karsaz blasts was mentioned as 'October 17'. The error has been rectified.
It is this very vehicle that saved the leader’s life in the twin bomb explosions at her homecoming rally near Karsaz on October 18, 2007.
Today, it serves as temporary accommodation for some policemen.
Worth its weight in gold
The truck that kept Benazir safe in the bombing that killed 150 people and left around 400 injured, first gained media publicity when the leader announced her return to Pakistan after ending self-imposed exile in 2007. Given the looming security threats, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) purchased the truck and former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza supervised its modification. Mirza reportedly spent Rs2.7 million, equipping it not only with an armour-plated flatbed, but also placing all luxury items inside, including an air conditioner, a couch, a double bed, television, and toilet facility.
Today, all these luxury items are missing, and the mammoth, dilapidated structure stands wrapped in blue rag-like pieces of cloth.
A roof for nomadic policemen
Although the Karsaz incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Bahadurabad police station, the truck currently rests at the Aziz Bhatti police station, due to parking issues. Here, it continues to serve as temporary lodging for officers in need.
“When all quarters at the Aziz Bhatti police station were occupied, our officials asked to live inside the truck,” says a head police constable, wishing to remain unnamed. “We spent a few days there until alternative arrangements were made.”
An additional sub-inspector reiterates this usage of the vehicle.
“A few months ago, heavy rain lashed the city. Some cops lived here because their quarters had weak roofs that started leaking,” he remarks. “The truck is on its last legs, so there’s no harm in using it as temporary abode.”
Clueless authorities
Ironically, Bahadurabad SHO Irfan Asif had no knowledge about the whereabouts of this truck. “Yes, the blast took place in my jurisdiction,” says Asif. “But I have no idea where it [the truck] is being kept.”
Furthermore, Aziz Bhatti SHO Muhammad Akram Araen disputes reports that any cop has ever lived inside. “We have deputed two cops to look after it at all times. This is an asset for us. How can we dare spoil it?” he exclaims indignantly.
Of negligence and lost investigations
It is difficult to forget the twin blasts, and the ensuing chaos – the flames, the charred bodies, the madness. And yet, the investigations are still shrouded in a cloak of mystery.
Even years later, investigators are still probing into the incident. According to former Sindh advocate general Fatah Malik this truck can play an important role until the case is disposed.
“If the PPP or any other government is going to re-investigate this case and the truck is shattered or missing, the inquiries will be considered incomplete,” explains Malik, adding that the government should take measures to preserve the vehicle.
PPP leader Waqar Mehdi, on the other hand, places blame solely at the police for the negligence.
“Actually, the case is sub-judice and the vehicle is still court property. That is why we cannot take it in our custody,” he says. “This can only be possible after the disposal of the case.”
Crux of the issue
According to many police personnel, the use of the truck in such a manner stems from a severe shortage of lodging. There are eight to ten quarters for personnel around the police station, but most have allegedly been rented out to civilians by senior police officers.
“Our high ups treat us like flood victims,” said a cop living in a mosque located inside Aziz Bhatti police station. “The seniors get up to Rs8, 000 in rent per quarter, and compel us to live in other make-shift places.”
Corners of the mosque reveal shoes, uniforms, and other personal belongings of those holed up inside.
SHO Araen refutes the allegations. “We have not given residential quarters to outsiders, police personnel are using them,” he says. “However, there are more policemen than available facilities. It is the government’s responsibility to provide them accommodation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2013.
Correction: In an earlier version of the article, the date of the Karsaz blasts was mentioned as 'October 17'. The error has been rectified.