End of dream: Haroon Ahmad, an Express News staffer, killed in robbery

Ahmed despite a promise to his father of coming in 'five minutes' was obliged by 2 bullets to take detour to PIMS.

RAWALPINDI:

One is supposed to go home — straight — after work. Any detours worry the parents, do they not? But a 30 -year-old youth despite a promise to his father of coming in “five minutes” was obliged by two bullets to take a detour to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences where doctors pronounced him dead. A life cut short, a dream unrealised.

An untimely death left family, friends and colleagues in a state of shock over the loss of an affable Haroon Ahmad who fell victim to a callous act of robbery while on his way home after work Thursday at 10:15pm near Satellite Town.

According to reports, it was just for a mobile phone which the robbers made away with leaving Ahmad in a pool of blood.

Ahmad when telephoned by his father told him that he will be home in five minutes but he never did. “Those five minutes became last moments of his life and now he is not among us,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, the victim’s father.

Mukhtar, a heart patient, said on Thursday he visited home twice during his duty hours to enquire after my health. “I felt strange as he never did so, however I smiled and replied I am fine my son,” Mukhtar said, trying to hold back tears in his eyes.

His father was waiting for him to dine together but who knew the tall smiling Ahmad would leave him a wait of a life time.

An Allama Iqbal Open University graduate, Ahmad joined The Express News as a non-linear editor (NLE) to share his family’s financial burden with his father. “It was his desire to get a masters degree in Mass Communication but domestic responsibilities and professional commitments  never let him fulfil his desire,” said Farhan, Ahmed’s younger brother.

Mukhtar says his son tried to fulfil whatever we asked for since the day he was employed. “How will I forget his smiling face,” said Mukhtar breaking in tears.

His elder sister Seema says Ahmed was closer to her then other siblings and would share everything with her. Just a day before, he informed Seema that he is going to buy a car and first of all would take her to Murree. And two days back he borrowed Rs50,000 from his brother-in-law to buy a car.

Famous for his generosity he always assisted his friends in times of need. When any squabble or rift occurs between siblings in the neighbourhood, parents would give his example as a man of patience. “We have never received any complaint from anyone against him,” said his father.

His colleagues always found him curious and willing learner. Though junior, among his colleagues he had a reputation of a “troubleshooter.”

“He would watch the English movies, and notice and share different kinds of video editing techniques with us,” said Nadeem Khan, a co-worker. He had joined The Express News two-and-a-half years ago.

His family was preparing for his marriage but the two bullets that hit him changed the course of their life for ever.

It will never be the same again for them.

The robbers may find a use for the mobile phone and Ahmad’s family may grant them that. But the question that remains is how many more Ahmads can we afford to have such unending detours? Answers anyone?

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2014.