Another asset lost: Family, friends blame LEAs’ apathy for Dr Memon’s death

Dr Manzoor Memon had filed a complaint with the Rangers and police around 20 days ago.

KARACHI:

The law enforcement agencies had turned a deaf ear to the frantic appeals for security by Dr Manzoor Ahmed Memon, the medico-legal officer (MLO) of the Jinnah Postgraduate and Medical Centre (JPMC). He was shot dead 20 days after he had registered a formal complaint with the authorities.

Dr Memon had registered a complaint at the Darkhshan police station on April 23; the same day he felt he was being followed. In his application, he had also mentioned the registration number of a black Corolla, indicating that three unidentified persons had been present in the vehicle parked in front of his apartment building at Badar Commercial, at around 6:45am.

Dr Memon’s driver, Ashiq Hussain, who was also shot dead with him, had informed Dr Memon’s elder son, Shahrukh Ali, regarding the presence of the suspects. “They [suspects] fled as my son approached them,” Dr Memon had stated in the application.

The MLO believed that the suspected men were planning to cause him harm, and had requested the police to provide him security at least outside his residence.

“He had no personal enmity,” claimed Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, one of his close friends and a former class-fellow. “My friend was humble and was committed to his work,” he wept.

The same application was handed over to the Rangers complaint cell established at the Pakistan Medical Association House that day. It was also learnt that the officials recorded statements and had received all the relevant information regarding the threats he was receiving. Despite that, they failed to provide him security.

His colleagues, the JPMC administration and the Sindh health department had no idea that Dr Memon was receiving theats.

The authorities and associates of the deceased remained unclear regarding the nature of the threats one of the five MLOs of the JPMC was receiving. His colleagues maintained, however, that all doctors, especially MLOs, are threatened on a regular basis.

It was also learnt that all data regarding the threats had been provided to the law enforcement agencies. “Nothing has been done yet. It is an insecure country for professionals,” one of his friends standing near the body commented. “Who will look after my friend’s children?” he questioned and burst into tears.

According to his colleagues, Dr Memon had been working as an MLO in the JPMC for the last four years and was humble and cooperative with his staff and patients. “I will request the chief minister to announce compensation for the families,” the Sindh health minister told the media outside the JPMC. “These people are our assets and their killing is not a good sign for development,” he added.

A look into the doctor’s career

Dr Manzoor Ahmed Memon, son of Karim Dino, hailed from a small town of Thatta district, Bello Shehar. After completing his matriculation, he moved to Sajawal city for secondary education and was admitted to the Liaquat Medical College as a medical student. After receiving his MBBS degree in 1991, he moved to Karachi and his first job was in Darul Shifa clinic, Keamari. He passed the Sindh Public Service Commission exam in 1996.

He left behind two sons, Shahrukh and Farrukh, one daughter Mahrukh and his widow, Shazia. His eldest son is enrolled in United Medical College.

Dr Memon also ran a private clinic, ‘Shahrukh Clinic’, in Keamari where he spent his evenings.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2014.