Looking for closure: On Suleman Lashari’s birthday, family seeks justice

Suleman was allegedly shot dead by a policeman's son on May 8

KARACHI:

"He would have turned 18 today."

These were the words with which Suleman Lashari's weeping mother greeted every woman coming to meet her.

Every year on October 3, the Lashari residence on Khayaban-e-Shamsheer used to host a birthday party for young Suleman. But this year, there was no festivity. Instead, men and women silently wept as they read the Holy Quran and prayed.

Suleman was shot at his home on May 8, allegedly by Salman Abro, a police officer's son, and five police guards. Salman had come to settle an argument.

On Friday, Suleman's grieving family listed their demands: suo motu action by the chief justice, termination of Salman's father from duty and justice for their son.

Reinvestigation

The family slammed the IG's order for reinvestigation of the case. "We were satisfied with the investigation. It was proven that Salman and his guards shot my son," said Suleman's father, Sardar Ghulam Mustafa. "But now they are calling for a reinvestigation."

They have appealed against the reinvestigation, and a notice has been served to the authorities. "It was a police officer's son who committed the murder; of course the police will take their side," said Mustafa, adding that cases had been filed against his son for inviting Salman to their residence and attacking him.

He said that the Abros wanted the case transferred from the anti-terrorism court to the sessions court and had submitted petitions for this transfer, hoping for a drawn-out process and a lighter punishment. With an armed guard sitting outside the house, the family appealed to the government for their security. "We are receiving threats," said Mustafa. "We are afraid to leave our house."

The family also called for the dismissal of Salman's father, SSP Ghulam Sarwar Abro, from police service. "He has more guards than ever," said Mustafa. "More than Salman, it is his father who should be punished."

Fond memories

In the drawing room, a large picture of Suleman, dressed in white, hangs on the wall. "This picture was taken a day before he was killed," said his mother Erum, staring at her son.

"He was our baby; everyone called him Sonu," she went on, wiping her eyes with her dupatta. "He loved to sit in the garden with me, having chai paratha."

The family says they visit Suleman's grave in Wadi-e-Hussain every day. Erum has pictures of it saved on her cellphone, adorned in fresh roses and marigolds. "He couldn't wait till he was old enough to have his NIC," she recalled, reminiscing about how he would constantly ask her when he would be all grown up. She added that he was planning to go to Australia for university after completing his A' Levels.

"He died in my arms. He died blowing flying kisses to me," Erum said, breaking down. "They should have killed me instead of him." All the family wants now is justice for Suleman. "I will not forgive his murderers until this chapter is closed," vowed Erum.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2014.