Searching for closure: Nine months on, twin still haunted by brother’s memories

Haider and Jamal were attacked in Lyari’s Bihar Colony but the latter did not survive.

KARACHI: “The bond between us started from the moment of birth and stretched over 23 years. It is not possible for me to forget our time together. The pain and fear after his death haunts me everyday.”

Haider Qadri, 23, one of the twins who were targeted in Lyari and survived, spoke these words while remembering his brother, Jamal Qadri, who did not survive the attack on January 2 which took place in the jurisdiction of the Kalri police station.

Jamal, who died on the spot, was not only Haider’s identical twin but also his best friend. “We shared everything - our pain and happiness. But now, I am alone and talk to myself. I find it hard to sleep and feel my brother’s presence around me all the time.”

Jamal and Haider were on their way to an exam when they came under fire by unidentified men. They had stopped at a tyre puncture shop near their home in Bihar Colony. After Jamal’s soyem, his father Dr Adbul Ghafoor Qadri left behind his three-room flat and private clinic, both in Lyari’s Bihar Colony, and moved to an undisclosed location.

The 58-year-old man’s only focus is to protect his surviving son as he fears that the killers may target him again. The same fear haunts Haider. “They [killers] may come after me as I am the only eyewitness of the attack,” said Haider. “Did you see what happened on Monday when Shahzeb Khan’s parents pardoned his killers? He was the son of a DSP while I am the son of a middle class doctor. I don’t believe in justice now.”

Lingering memories

Sharing the memories of his brother, Haider said he was religious and loved watching historical and religious movies. He was also fond of reading. “He wanted shahadat [martyrdom]. He liked action movies. He wanted a good job before getting married,” Haider said while listing his late brother’s qualities.

When asked about January 2, Haider wasn’t able to recall the exact details of what happened and how. “I was busy trying to solve a mathematical problem on my calculator. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, the impact of which shook me to the core. The first bullet crossed my jaw and the second bullet barely missed my forehead.”

According to him, there were two motorcyclists - two on the driver’s side and two at the front of his car. “The rider from the driver’s side opened fire on us. Faces of the men were covered and I remember that the policemen who were standing nearby didn’t retaliate. No one even attempted to help us for about 20 minutes till the ambulance arrived.”

Uncertain future

“Haider and Jamal had dashing personalities. They were both very famous in the neighbourhood for their style, dressing and social behaviour,” said one of their friends living in Bihar Colony, B*. Haider agreed with a smile, saying, “Yes, we were fond of new clothes and fashionable sunglasses but now nothing interests me [without Jamal].”

Being good at mathematics, Haider had intended to become an accountant but he discontinued his studies after the incident. “I can’t concentrate on anything. The attack comes to my mind out of the blue and disturbs me.”

Like Haider, his father also still doesn’t know why his 23-year-old sons were targeted. “I have no idea why anyone would want to harm them. It is the responsibility of the police to trace the culprits,” said Dr Qadri.

Haider, however, believes that the police know who attacked the twins. “Nothing will happen, even if they are traced or detained. There is no justice in this society.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2013.