The mother of 19-year-old Adee Atif Siddiqui had pleaded to the robbers to spare the life of her only son; they did not listen.
The two suspected bandits were angry as Adee had tried to drive away when they had ordered him to stop.
As punishment for his ill-fated attempt to escape, one of them shot him in the chest as his mother watched, helplessly. As a pool of blood formed in the driver's seat of their white Suzuki Alto, the city's violent streak had claimed another life.
It took the criminals just a few minutes to end Adee's life, and his dream of one day becoming an actuary will now never be fulfilled. "His only fault was that he tried to drive away," said his mother, breaking down into tears as she recalled the traumatising details.
The teenager was a first year student of the statistics department at the University of Karachi and had just recently learnt how to drive.
It was on Monday that Adee was on his way with his mother to pick up his father Talha Sadiq, a hakeem by profession, from his clinic. The clinic was a 15-minute drive away from their house in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
"Abi, I am coming to pick you up," were Adee's last words to his father, but he never did.
Adee and his mother were accosted on the bridge near Safari Park by two men on a motorcycle. Adee's mother had been mugged twice and felt she knew what was to come. However, her son tried to drive the car forward in an attempt to dodge the suspected robbers.
The men got off their motorcycle, placed in front of the car, and without saying a word, shot Adee in the chest. The bullet of the 30-bore pistol entered through the right side and exited the body through the left, piercing his heart.
"The men left as daringly and fearlessly as they had come," said Adee's mother, tears rolling down her cheek. Women prayed in unison for Adee in the other rooms as men silently read the Quran.
The parents deny reports that the boy was affiliated with a political party, and do not believe he was targeted as he had no known enemies. "He was not associated with any party."
The family sits in Adee's room, which is draped in red; the colours of his favourite football team, Manchester United. "He loved to watch and play football. He started collecting footballs when he was only four," said Adee's father.
Posters of footballs players - Messi, Ronaldo, and Rooney - are taped to the wall. Pictures of his 'dream team' are pinned to his closet. "If his team lost, he would cry, and we would have to console him," said Sadiq.
An FIR has been registered at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal police station under section 302/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. There have been no arrests so far. Police say that there was no CCTV camera in the area but the clothes have been sent for examination and a sketch of the shooter has been made.
The family, however, place little faith in law enforcement agencies. The latest incident has made them lose hope in this country; they now believe all youngsters should go abroad.
"In the past 12 months, my clinic has been robbed 11 times. I have registered FIRs for three of them, but nothing has happened. Nothing will happen in my son's case too. Nothing will ever change," said Talha.
Except that his son will never return.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2014.
COMMENTS (62)
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@Talal: Thats exactly what the people in Islamabad are fighting for. The government has clearly turned a blind eye to the rise in criminal activities, they do nothing about it. Ministers etc care abiut themselves only. Its the awam that will have to do something for themselves. "Zindagi bheek se nahin milti, Zindagi barh kar cheenni parti hai"
ina lilahi wa ina ilayhi rajioon :(
Supreme court of pakistan should take prior notice and action!!!!!!!!!! Murderers should be hanged till death as per Law!!!
Now I ask Najam Sethi sahab. Is this the democratic syatem which you always plead to save. Please review your stand and resonate your valuable and powerful voice with the voice of change.
We need batman -_-
Innalillahi-Wa-innailaihi rajioon.May Allah give strength to the victim's family to bear this immense loss.If government hangs even one of the culprit, this would never happen.But unfortunately our government's only concern is to fill their pockets.
I am horrified at this news and what a sweet looking innocent young man has lost his life. Please may I have Adee's mother's email or phone number to help her out. Thanks.
i am very sad then read the real story and i was crying .. Adee Atif Siddiqui ALLAH bless hin and insha allah he going to jannatul firdos .<3 i pray for him
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon... When will we live in PEACE? If this is the Democracy, then its better the country be ruled by Army...
Can't figure out where we are heading towards with human life being the least worthy.The culprits must get their heads off but HOW??-the enigma that can never be resolved under the present scenario...
So called "Islamic" Republic.
God bless the kid. Please don't try to escape these thugs, they know they will not be caught by anyone, that is how things are in cities like Karachi or Rio (Brazil), where the slightest of refusal in front of thugs can result in death. I think every honest bread earner should learn self defense techniques to fight these thugs who try to loot. In a broader scope, the real thugs who are ruling Sindh should be questioned and thrown out as they cannot provide basic security to public and cannot get rid of illegal weapons in the city. When will be stop living like animals and start living like human beings?? We need to raise our voice and come out on streets before its too late and we are crying on death of a family member in a similar way.
@Zaida: What does this news have to to do with radicalization?
That's really sad!! RIP
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon.
Mother should be rest assured that Justice will be served to all involved in the heinous crime, the murderers as well as supporters of this corrupt system. And surely Allah's grip is the hardest.
@itl: Life in KPK had been far more peaceful had you chosen to bring change in the country
I feel so sorry after reading this incidents ... its painful and even i feel sorry after reading the comments which clearly shows our society has also lost all the moral values too... this incident has nothing to do with religion until wen we will keep blaming our weaknesses n sins on our religion ...
Humanity
Shocked!!!! Pakistan has no future for the coming generations. Imran Khan is absolutely right about the current system. Please come out and support him not for you but your upcoming generations. This man is worried about Pakistan. Pakistan can NOT run as a country if we don't come out and stand for our rights. Rulers have recently showed the care they have for us in the parliament. Either stay quite, ignore everything and watch these people destroy us and our future or stand up RIGHT NOW and fight for your rights so you don't have to go through what this mother is going through.
Only a couple of weeks back, I saw a news item in a respected daily attributing to CM sindh that karachi is now crime free!
this person was my class mate n ya banda bht nyc tha yaaaar seriously when i heard this news mujhe kuch smjh nai aya :'( well ALLAH sub py reham kary :) ALLAH kary is k adee k qatil pakry jain
I now believe that Imran Khan is right.
@Karachiite: Our entire country is in chaos, North to South and the only thing you can think of is dancing girls. That is just pathetic.
One of My close in University'He was our team's Forward 'Always Ready To Help Others.He Was a Humble and friendly to each . May his Soul Rest in Peace.
Law enforcement is not worth speaking of. But there is precious little humanity left in Pakistan. I was injured some time ago and have to walk with a cane, I can't bend my leg either so I have to pray seated. Last Friday at the mosque I had to hobble a considerable distance over uneven ground while holding a chair. The entire crowd just sat there and watched me struggle with total indifference; one person even pushed past me. And these were people gathered for the remembrance of Allah no less. When I see things like this and like the killing of this young boy I lose all hope for this country.
Yes our systems are corrupt and dysfunctional, but replacing them with functioning systems will not fix anything. Systems are ultimately run by people. A garden cannot flower from barren ground. May Allah soften our hearts and fill them with humanity and love for each other. Ameen.
in a way the kid is to blame! u dont do such hero acts when uv recently learnt how to drive and when ur driving a suzuki alto a 1000cc car! what we see in movies does not apply when it comes to reality! he even put his mothers life at risk by doing what he did! kids of his age should be taught by their parents to control their emotions when facing such situations because this is such an age where a person gets emotionally pumped up very easily! but it doesnt matter what we say now because he is no more...all we can do is pray for the departed soul and pray that may Allah give the family strength to bare this loss!
Pakistan a state were lawlessness has been the only thing that has prevailed. Weather its Karachi, Islamabad or Lahore. I have heard events of youngsters falling prey to such events in the past, this was the first instance that my own cousin had to be a part of this. Feel like abandoning Pakistan, People might get offended on this statement, but accept it, Karachi is no place to work and live, times have changed . I hope and prey they get better.
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. Ameen
The university road is ruled PPP baloch thugs roaming freely in the area ...every day this become a usual incidents
Keep the death penalty moratorium. Good Luck!
I can never imagine the pain and sorrow that Adee's parents must be feeling. It is a very unfortunate incident. The Justice system in the country should be strengthened and citizens should be protected against criminals.
However, crimes like this happen in similar cities across the world. You can have the most perfect justice system in the world but you can never completely eliminate these incidents and you can never for one second think that such a thing won't happen to you because you live in a land where these incidents don't happen on a daily basis. Death can come at any time and by any means. We can only Pray to Allah that when our time comes we are eligible to receive the rewards of the hereafter.
I dont why people cry for change after losing someone very close to them i feel sorry for this guys family too but think of those people who lost their whole families and now when someone is standing and is trying to make to this change take place you guys are not supporting.. if yiu want justice for it and let the people if this nation know your incident go to Islamabad and fight for your sons justice if you care about him crying wont change anything unless you stabd up against injustice and change more importantly for your son.. if you really care go to islamabad for your son or the least go to seavieww stand up in the front with your families.. now is the time nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.. invite other helpless people who are facing the same situation
Qasim Ali Shah needs to be overthrown. He can't even run a house at this age, let alone this violent province. We need major Army operation in Karachi and conduct house to house search. Pick up notorious criminals from all parties and recover all weapons. Sad part is that Police is only there to protect VIPs and Rangers are doing Policing in the city. These Rangers are useless as they are not enough and plus they are also corrupt. There is no civilian force protecting this city which is considered as heart of Pakistan. Karachi has been surrendered to criminals. Where are the suo motos of CJ? This new CJ has shown no concerns towards these public issues. All he was concerned about how dare anyone drying their Shalwar Kameez on Supreme Court of Pakistan sign. Shame on the ruling elite. It's time to kick these incompetent rulers out.
I never talked to adee in person but his family and mine have same social circle. He was very fond of my one year old and would often come over and play with him and take his pictures. His mother told me 'my son is crazy about ur son' and after a couple of days adee was no more in this world. It's after becoming a mother myself that I ve realized that nothing can be more shattering for a parent to live to see the death of their child. Adee was the only son and life of the family he left behind will never be the same. I pray that Allah gives them sabr and grants adee the highest place in Jannah. Ameen!
It is extremely sad. We have become immune to all these sort of situations. It is so simple to kill someone and disappear in our country. Had there been any punishments to the culprits in the past, the situation might have been bit better. We don't see any accountability or punishment sort of thing by law enforcement agencies that has led to open hand to THE CULPRITS. They know nothing would happen against them with whatever they do. May Allah help us and guide us. Is anyone answerable for this ?? or most likely case will be closed with out of court settlement sort of thing or MARHOM KA WURSA KA LIYA 5 LAKH KA CHEQUE ... KOI MARTA HA MAR JAYE ... JAMHORIYAT CHALTI JAYE .. kia banay ga humara ???
Thankyou PPP for this revenge.. May i die the day when bilawal becomes the PM of Pakistan.. its too painfull to see.
It is soo disturbing to read news like these almost every other day :'( Few days ago, came accross a similiar news piece. My heart goes out to the family and I just think will these things ever change in our homeland? Killing someone is such an easy task made by our system....much much easier than eating daal and roti :( Allah hi Malik!
The callous attitude of people of this country has ceased to amaze me, how is it Zardari or PPPP's fault? can some one explain how IK's naya Pakistan will be better? it will be you lot who will still be here and as long as you are here nothing will change.
@itl: Yes, this is the same system you want, where we will for sure lose our easternism. And our women will dance in public and will stay outside home for weeks.
is it so?
@Ahmed: Though this incident is very saddening but Pakistan had to be a fortress of Islam. But unfortunately it is not. It is a country, where every sin is done without even feeling it a sin. We have lost our identity by promoting every bit of anti Islam factors including music and so on.... And in the end, we are getting what we are cropping... But yes, it is a sad news.
...and it looks like the PPP-Z are not satisfied with their daily intake, so street crime is up again......because even loose change is after all still money.
CHANGE inevitable insha Allah...soon these thugs will get booted out....these corrupt elements should be taken to task like Khomeini did through revolution.. Khomeini was not a politician, yet he confronted the Shah who was then the most powerful person in the Gulf...
Many people are asking " is this is what is revolution about "...I ask them...watch some documentaries on revolution & compare it to what kind of revolution is taking place via peaceful dharnas in Islamabad...this is a silent revolution being created through awareness & yet many people instead of appreciating it, criticizes it, because they do not have taste of actual revolution. Yes !the present dharnas has all the potential of turning into a violent anarchist revolt, if people continue to be denied their basic right & justice under cover of democracy, constitution & Parliament...
Andha Qanoon. Ever thing is for sale, justice, law. everything and Corrupt people can buy easily like nawaz etc
so heartbreaking... people please don't try this living in Karachi. give whatever phone you have, it's not worth losing your life for!
hope justice is served....thats the least the lady can get....
Qaim Ali Shah should resign. He is too old to govern a province. Let some one young and energetic run the province & city. Karachi needs a big cleansing operation.
RIP! Till such time this cosmopolitan city continues to have PPP supported Gothhs, we would continue seeing this happening. Zulfiqar Miza is responsible for senseless murders in the city.
What a sad incident .... We need "Naya Pakistan" ... you still don't understand !!!!
Kneel to Democracy - Hahahah!
Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. Ameen This has gone on too far. The Sindh PPP government is craven and will never admit its fault that the existing system of policing and katchi abadis is the reason for violence. Musharraf's Police Order 2001/2002 was the sine qua non for Pakistan. Salams
speechless
@itl: You are absolutely right.
i hope the inquilab these are fighting for in Islamabad brings these guys to justice.....otherwise.....i dont think it has any meaning for me.....as long as life of common man is not safe...nothing will help....
Oh please do not say anything to the criminals. Our media and upholders of human rights will be offended.
fortress of Islam where even the most basic right of life is a luxury many can't afford! Either killed by a bullet or by slow poison of the land of the pure! Proud to be ..................... ??
This is the same reason we want a new system in the country, under the present system justice can never be served. Look how peaceful protesters are beaten up and senselessly murdered meanwhile thugs and corrupt politicians are given thousands of police guards to protect them.
@“In the past 12 months, my clinic has been robbed 11 times. I have registered FIRs for three of them, but nothing has happened. Nothing will happen in my son’s case too. Nothing will ever change,” said Talha.(father of Atif Siddiqi)
Can any Government official reply,attacked on father, son killed, what is life in Pakistan...
Radicalized and violent Pakistan is a mob living in a place that they claimed on the basis of a religion.