Shahzeb Khan, 20, was shot dead by Shahrukh Jatoi, who was convicted on June 7. PHOTO: FILE
“Shahzeb was shot to death last year but today is the day that I feel he has actually died.”
The 20-year-old’s dejected and heartbroken friend, Umer Mukhtar, told The Express Tribune on Monday. Umer and thousands of other people were part of a wide movement seeking justice for the murder of Shahzeb Khan. The movement, which began on social media, spilled onto the streets and the city witnessed its youth taking to the streets to demand the arrest of Shahrukh Jatoi, who was convicted by the Anti-Terrorism Courts on June 7.
These young activists - who had celebrated Shahrukh’s conviction as a success of their struggles - were upset to hear that Shahzeb’s family decided to pardon the criminals. “All our efforts for our friend have ended in vain. I feel crushed,” said Umer.
The Facebook page ‘In Memory of Shahzeb Khan’ that has over 170,000 members, was created by Umer two days after the murder took place on December 25, 2012. He also organised a total of 18 protests seeking Shahrukh’s arrest. Eleven of these protests were held in Pakistan while the rest were organised in UK, US and other countries.
“If the family had to do this, we would have never organised the first protest,” said the young man. The Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice merely 36 hours after this first protest. “Everyone knew that the criminals were influential so why did Shahzeb’s family bow down to pressure at this stage.”
The friend admitted he feels embarrassed to face others. “People are accusing us of taking money,” he said, adding angrily that the case witnesses and Shahzeb’s close friends were never taken into confidence. “We risked our lives and went ahead with the case. Who would protect us from the killers once they are out?” Another disappointed friend, who took part in every demonstration, believes that no one would come out on the streets again and scream for justice.
One of Shahzeb’s neighbours in Country Club Apartments, Ali Rahman, was angry but he felt justice was done to some extent as the murderers were caught and sentenced. “They are convicted murders and no one can take that from them.”
Even some relatives are struggling with this development. Shahzeb’s paternal aunt, Anila, said it was wrong of her brother, Aurangzeb, to pardon the killers. “We wanted the killers to be hanged not let loose on the streets again.”
Politician Nabil Gabol, who is also Shahzeb’s uncle, expressed his anger on Twitter. It was a shameful act by the Shahzeb family to forgive the murderers, he said, adding that the family did it for money.
Wat a shameful act by shazeb parents to forgive the murderers of shazeb . If its true they hv no right to remain associated to me .
— Nabil Gabol (@Nabilgabol) September 9, 2013
Meanwhile, Express News anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada, who was on the forefront of the media campaigm, admitted he was utterly disgusted with the decision.
#Justice4Shahzeb trending
Meanwhile, the hashtag ‘Justice4Shahzeb’ was trending once again but, this time, people were venting their frustration and not demanding justice. A user, Javeria, said that she would never take part in any campaign while Basit Azeem pointed out that “no political or any other kind of pressure is worth forgiving a son’s death.”
No political or any other kind of pressure is worth forgiving a son's death. #Justice4Shahzeb
— Abdul Basit Azeem (@emmybasu) September 9, 2013
According to sources privy to the matter, a deal of Rs 80 crore was finalised between Shahzeb’s family and the convicted families in Dubai. Some news channels even claimed that two politicians played an important role in finalising the deal.
For a normal life
Meanwhile, Shahzeb’s mother Ambreen explained the decision to pardon the culprits was taken to ‘normalise’ the lives of others. “We wanted Shahzeb’s friends and others who took part in the campaign to have normal lives,” she said, in Express News’ show ‘To The Point’. “Some of them don’t go to their universities while others have bodyguards for their protection.”
In this situation, Ambreen felt this was the right decision. “I am ready to face my son on the Day of Judgment.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2013.
COMMENTS (85)
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@Ahsan:
You have a point what the news of 35 or 50 million taken by family, these news must have some substance and coming from some source.
Why is no one speaking about the real issue here - the fact that blood money is part of the Islamic justice system as well as part of the Pakistan legal system...... the same legal system that let Raymond Davis get away with it.
Real change can only come when unjust laws are changed.....meanwhile the rich and powerful will continue to get away with murder.
Only 80 crores? For the killing of his own sons? Amazing Pakistan.
An article by Talat Hussain on this issue http://www.saach.tv/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/blog18-580x1172.jpg
While everyone is blaming the family for forgiving the murderers and for taking money...people are not looking the other side of the story...it is really hard for a mother or a father to forgive a person who took away their young son...but it is harder for a father to be with his young daughter all the time who could be a victim of counter aggression from the Jatoi family...his father lost him but I am sure he does not want to lose his daughter and be disgraced for the rest of her life..He was young and a brave brother who wanted to protect his sister but the father even being a DSP is hand tight.. grow up people you all did your job well but protesting and asking for justice...justice is that the murderers were caught and identified...but righteousness is to protect the remaining of Shahzeb's family...
"wadara system nahi hoga khatam" when i was child i heard this sentence many time know i am 27 still listening ,
@Irfan: Now don't start another case. Govt cases are actually "a piece of cake" for them, you know! >Besides, don't bring down the "Bloody" reputation of the killer's family.
I am surprised that majority of people are blaming the family; not the law which has this gaping hole. Nowhere in the world there should be a system which allows a murderer to escape punishement. It does not matter if the victim's family forgave him- the state should punish him. These laws were enacted in the times of tribal societies, the intention was to stop the traditon of vendettas. Why can't we hold on to our religion and yet modernise.
Shahrukh Jatoi travelled on a fake passport to reach Abu Dhabi. Will the state remain silent on this as well?
@Xulfjan: lol! You can't have whole country's population of extreme powerful wealthy thugs, can you? There always will be multitude of honest people being crushed under the wheels of the powerful, right?
@Khawar Butt: Oh C'mon Butt Sahab!
You had to mention no-less-corrupt India here?
Its gratifying to know that tribal customs have permeated in our society in the garb of Islam. Shahzeb family by letting loose thugs and murderers on the streets have done a great service to the society and lets not forget about Shazeb who would be so happy up there by the act of this generosity. So folks the lesson of the day is that accumulate wealth and power and terrorize the neighborhood, you can literally get away with murder in this Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
All those accusing the parents are definitely not parents themselves otherwise they would know that no parent would take any amount of money in return for their child's life, it is Pakistan and beyond a hint of doubt they were pressurized and threatened to the extent that they were fearful of any harm to be done to their living child. Parents love for their children is universal in all societies in all races in all religions, please don't blame them, they have died every day since the death of their son and they will continue to die every day till they die, don't add to their misery.
Every one is condemning what shahzaib's family's done but no-one is trying to know what kind of threats are being given, what kind of circumstances this family was going through which forced the parent to do this......there are loads of things are happening behind the scene, don't jump to conclusion.....no-one can take money over his son's life.
'Four men were convicted Tuesday of the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old student aboard a moving bus, a crime which sparked protests across India on women's rights.The Associated Press reported the men would be sentenced on Wednesday, with the possibility they will be hanged.'
This proves that India is far ahead of us when it comes to justice.
I'm assuming the family might have been pressurized by the other side and for the safety of their 2 daughters, they decided to forgive Shahrukh Jatoi...Only a mother knows how it feels when her child gets hurt; Ambreen's son was murdered in this case and that too, her only son. If she along with the family had decided to withdraw charges, there has to be a bigger reason behind the picture we are been shown by the media. Im pretty sure the monetary settlement rumour is making rounds from Shahrukh Jataoi's side so no one would suspect them of harassing Shahzaib's family to withdraw the case... ALLAH is the best judge of all; Shahrukh Jatoi will get justice, if not in this world, the hereafter!
@Umair Waheed, IBA Khayban e Hafiz: Bro Umair! It's very very easy to say "money is involved" to some extant its very possible in many cases we see today, but at the same time it may be nor true. Why? The powerful family of the murderer could coerce the weaker victim's family to give-up or their daughters will be harmed, you know! The probably will never get a dime from the killers, we know that, as soon as the killer is loose.
Yesterday all the politicians including Imran Khan pardoned the killers of 40,000 men women and children of Pakistan, with no guarantee that killers will stop further killing
@More than what meets the eye:
since you know the family, i have a question for you. If the family forgave the culprits in the name of Allah (s.w.t) and is moving to Australia due to threats (to mother, father & daughter) . Can you kindly tell me where would the key witnesses , shahzebz friends would go? they will have to live in the same country right ? with the killer on the loose. dont you think they must have threats also.
the family has apparently nothing to lose, they have lost their son, one daughter is already abroad. Cant they take care of one daughter , with the father being the DSP? if they did not do it for money why didnt his mother and father deny it. they are quite. which explains the whole thing.
i feel sorry for all the youngsters, who came on the roads, rasied their voice not for the DSP's son but against the system!
i salute the judicary, police , media and civil society who stood up against the system. all of us are heroes, if someone is not, its the family!!!
if eventually they had to settle for money, they shouldnt have made it an issue in the first place.
if any sort of a law existed in this country then i would have understood this emotional outburst of the people. so people please be logical. being 21 or so it is very easy to say that i will change the system. but till the system is changed imagined the ordeal the family has to face. it would have been only 4 people who would have been hanged. the other goons would have roamed freely striking the family at the first opportunity.
No one can predict what the circumstances behind the settlement between two parties. But don’t forget one thing ‘divine justice’ is prevailed in this temporary materialistic world.
@Syed A. Mateen: Shahzeb is not the only child, he has three sisters as well. The poor father must be thinking of them :(
we should not give up. Now is the time for us to ask our legislature to change laws in Pakistan. This episode should be eye opening for civil society how much work need to be done. Are we ready, are we going to do it?
Did anyone notice the date on the affidavit: the date is 17-07-2013
Rs 80 Crores is a huge sum of money. While Shahzebs family will become incredible rich, one more criminal will be free on the streets.
Heart Broken...Shahzeb's parents associated themselves with criminals for just money...No one should protest for anyone killed by feudals or influential person.
Credit goes to the TV show ' Talking Point ' and Mr. Khanzada for keeping track and keeping the public informed. This is a case in point which clearly shows why religion and the working of the state should be seperated.............but it will not happen. This is also a case in point that clearly reflects the attempted misuse of religion.
and she thinks they can 'normalize' their lives now when he will be out of jail?
the witnesses have to get more guards now since the murderer will be out now!!
If Sikander Jatoi is Muslim, he should himself offer his son for punishment, instead of that used millions of rupees to safe his son, how he will show his face to Allah,after death
well the end should be that mr Sharukh should be hanged but the fact of the matter is that we cannot comprehend what Shazeb''s family is going through. it is very easy to get emotional but we should think about their family whose life has virtually stopped. they need some normalcy in their life. i think that if they have not done the deal, then any chance of normal life would have vanished for them forever, at least in Pakistan. i totally supports his mother's stance and wish that Allah give them sabr and they start living there life now.
@Betel-Q8: People like you are a necessity for the wadera system in this country to flourish
This is too painful for words...
What has become of Qaid e Azam's Pakistan!!
“All our efforts for our friend have ended in vain. I feel crushed,” said Umer.......We all felt like crushed ;(
I guess we all are getting emotional, nobody is even feeling the pain of the direct family members. There might be a religious factor behind but the truth can be best known to only family (parents). Before making any comment we must respect family's verdict if they have taken it in the best practice of religion. I hope the same but even not then they are responsible!
There was ONE Raymond Davis but there are thousands of Shahrukh Jatois in Pakistan. Remember that the next time somebody raises Raymond Davis' name.
Sad but true, what can you expect from the corrupt law of the land. At the end the chakarvyu of violence had to be stopped or else it would have gone on and on.
Criminal Feudals are extremenly powerful and shameless. Please do no blame an ordinary family who give up due to immense pressure that can not be measured.
@Betel-Q8: Not legal as by ATA murder is not pardonable as the crime is deemed in this case against the society and state. Not religious as the totally free and totally obviously free conditions never existed as prescribed by religion.
@Water Bottle: They did appreciate the support they got from urban youth.
Hold on Guys. Rs. 300 Million (uffffffffffffffffffffffffff). is a lot of money. Bottom line is that its all legal by law and religion. So let it be a matter between the concerned parties.
Has Shahrukh's family also promised that he would not commit more murders in the future? because now all of us are in trouble. He is now well aware of the fact that money matters nothing else.
I have no anguish against Shahzeb's family, for, they made a pragmatic decision. Shahrukh Jatoi was to be saved either way even if his his family would have to kidnap, torture and even rape Shahzeb's sisters. Mates! this is Pakistan, not Britain or the US. Government is a concubine in the hands of the ruling class. Our judges made it clear that they are upright but judges cannot execute anyone. They, simply, can give a verdict while the executive has to exucute their decisions. Thumbs up for Shahzeb's family, friends and the judges.
The public should come out once again to force the judiciary to continue with the sentence. Not for Shahzeb or his family, but for themselves and many other Shahzeb's
People run from this country before a wadera or his son or servant kills you and flash victory signs
Not sure why Shahzeb's parents are being bullied. It is the law that needs to be abolished. This is not the first time this has happened in Pakistan, and certainly not the last either.
Had I been the father of Shazeb, I would have never ever compromised on the dead body of Shahzeb and would have ensured that Shahruk Jatoi and his accomplices would have been hanged till death in the Central Jail of Karachi.
I would have waited outside the Centrail Jail for three seperate ambulances to come out having dead bodies of Shahrukh Jatio and two of his accomplices and only then I would have returned home with complete satisfaction of my soul that justice had been delivered.
Shahzeb's parents must be charged for each and every penny (even the salary of the police, investigators and judiciary for the period they worked for this case) spent on this case from the national exchequer.
Well now I'm gonna try even harder to run away from this country for good
I offer to everyone dejected, please observe closely the life of Shahrukh Jatoi, now when Pakistan cannot provide justice to the poor, now the case is in the hands of Allah, he will give justice, so please keep looking at his life, even if he comes out of court, he does not come out of Allah's domain, even a free man will not be a free man.
The Nation just died today!!! Thanks to our currupt system :(
This is allowed under Islamic law, and we don't know for sure if they pardoned them under pressure , so stop being disgusted by it and accept it as a Muslim. if the parents are under pressure they would get revenge on the day of judgement.
@amit (India):
I somehow agree and also think that fear played a role in this case but Shahzeb's father is a cop and messing with cops will show one the bitter results someday. And I guess people now need to watch and take inspiration from Indian movies like Pitah, Gangajal and Virrudh when justice is raped due to influence and corruption.
"I'll make him an offer he can't refuse" - Mario Puzo.
This is the main problem with "Qasas", which the rightists love to have in the Pakistani legal system. My point all along has been that in the event of a murder, kidnapping, or rape, state should be the main party (and the prosecutor), not the blood relatives.
The Court should ask all members of the family to produce their Original passport to see if there is Australian visa
Justice delayed is Justice denied .. Dear CJ please note.
The most important question no one is asking is : Who asked you to support his case?
Did his parents ever ask you to support their cause for justice?
You guys need to understand that they also have two daughters and dare i say it that is what made them pardon this murderer. Face it these feudals would have picked up those girls as soon as sharukh jatoi would have gone to the gallows. So if you really want to blame someone blame the legal system of this country.
Who gonna pay the taxpayer money spent on trial....??? The parents who pardon the murderer...!!,!! Or the accused party.....!!!! Is there any rule or legislation....????
I said it last year that the deal was done for a significant amount of money but people laughed on me. Now see what happened? if they wanted to pardon the people why do the case? Only has one point to prove: win the case so the defense has to pay a higher amount for blackmail.
Today, I demand that the Islamic Law of "Kisaas and Diyat" be removed from the constitution of Pakistan, if courts cannot give people Justice according to the Islamic teachings, than why follow this to pardon murderers and killers??
Most of the comments are as disappointing as the deed itself of forgiving the murderers. The hypothetical presumption that Shahzeb's family did this under intense pressure and to save their remaining two daughters is sheer nonsense. The only way to ensure safety of the remaining two daughters and the daughters of the nation is to mete out exemplary punishment to the killers no matter what privileged family they belong to. Fact is simply clear: Shahzeb's family held out to increase the payout to exponential levels by assuring Shahzeb's friends and supporters of their commitment to carry on till the end until justice is done. Shahzeb's family, by selling out has shown themselves to be several notches below the families of the victims of Raymond Davis. At least in that case the families came from poor background.
A word to the young and committed who supported Shahzeb's cause: never, never, never be sorry that you supported justice and the truth no matter what the end result is. The process of supporting justice and truth has built your character in terms you may not know now but definitely will in time. We do not even remember the name of the Caliph who executed Mansur Hallaj. But Mansur's name has become immortal for all times to come.
Its so sarcastic that the father of Shahzeb is DSP Police in Karachi.
My thoughts and prayers are with the grieved family. This is huge tragedy and not an appropriate place for insensitive and cruel comments. Please show some respect and dignity for the victim and his family. Message is clear: If you are powerful in Pakistan; then you can just walk through the flimsy web of the judicial system. We as a society cannot just blame likes of murderers and their rich parents; we all are guilty. We have developed a culture where everyone wants to be above the law and get away with a murder. Unfortunately many do! Shame on us!
I have been following this case over the past several months, and it echos the murder of Jessica Lal, a model shot dead by an influential politicians son several years back. The first verdict in that case was a travesty - the killers were declared innocent, but the public outcry forced the courts to look again into the matter. Eventually, the killer was sentenced to life, and some of his accomplices also got shorter sentences. I hope this case generates a similar outcry in Pakistan for a change in the law. Perhaps the parents acted out of fear for their other kids or for whatever other reason, we don't know. But as long as the law allows relatives to pardon a killer, there will always be cases such as this.
I know the family personally, they never did it for money. They had threats to their entire family, father mother and daughter. These industrial families responsible for the murder have no remorse and they have no humility either. Open your eyes and don't believe everything you hear. This world is disgusting and we are all headed for turmoil.
The proceedings were according to the prevailing laws. If we don't like the law as it exists, we must go through the process of changing it. A country cannot be ruled properly by emotion based wishes. We must design laws that allow us to live as we want.
The weight of huge amount had immense pressure.
You know virtue died in a society when a parent's love for a child can be bought and sold.
What a society we live in
Disgraceful for the culprit. Unfortunate for the campaigners/ friends Stressful for the family Disappointment for us.
That is why they say.."Not only must the Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done".
Shahzeb was shot to death last year but today is the day that I feel he has actually died.............the verdict is a public execution of a incurable ill society.
I was listening to one of my favorite tracks on my way to work when I heard this news on twitter , I felt disgusted and had to shut down the track. Later I thought that it is their own son so they have the right to do anything . Still it makes me very sad to hear this news ! If there was some hope it is now gone.
I was very vocal about this case, I have supported the victim and the family on various forums, BUT their nonsense decision has disgused me! Why would I support another innocent victim, if the family take the money and back out? Forget it !!!!! ugh
Honestly, I shed tears when I heard this. Guess there never was and never will be any justice against these Feudal Lords - they will always win! They own Pakistan and we are just secondary citizens in our own country.
Having said that, my humble request to you all is to not say anything to his parents, just imagine the amount of threats and pressure they must've been under. Also, lets suppose they had done stick to the court decision - what about their family, their immediate families - they would have lived a torturous life otherwise.
Shahzeb is still alive - He shall live in all of us who have faught for justice in one way or the other.
May Allah rest Shahzeb's soul in peace and make example of the culprits in this world and here after.
Shazeb's family can do what they like,BUT we don't want a convicted KILLER let loose on the streets to kill more.Our judges must keep that in mind.
A failure of justice system, parents are well aware that these people are unstoppable there will be more loss of life if they didnt let go off the killer.
It is all a money game.
VERY SAD!!! so eventually money & power speaks. I wish Shahrukh gets the Karma Back, Amen
If the parents were really the type that would forgive a killer of a family member for fear of ALLAH then they would have done so in December when original death sentences were meted out. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that they have done so under immense pressure. They may be trying to save the two remaining daughters and other family members from threats..... who knows? How can we blame them when we don't know the details of what they probably went through. In the land of feudal system and no writ of law, there is only so much one can do.
“They are convicted murders and no one can take that from them.” Well said. While I don't support clamoring for revenge or hanging 20 year olds, it is a sad commentary on our legal system that murder is not a crime against the state and can be personally forgiven. Such a provision is a tribal vestige and ought to be done away with. Shahzeb's killers never lost their happy smiles and good humor because their confidence in Pakistan's judicial system working for them exceeded their fear of the ramifications of their crime.