Rest in peace: Remembering the Janisaran

Families of the men who died in Karsaz blast hold Bilawal in great esteem.

KARACHI:

For the last couple of years, a few women from Lyari have been visiting the office of the Pakistan Peoples Party - the Peoples Secretariat, quite regularly.

They go there just to confirm if the pictures of their loved ones who died in the October 18, 2007, blast are still on display.

"They left us in the most painful way," said Habibur Rehman Baloch's sister Mehrbano. "When we see their pictures with the list of those who died that day, it helps us deal with the pain." She added that her 25-year-old brother was going to get married a couple of days later.

Habibur Rehman Baloch was part of the Janisaran-e-Benazir Bhutto, a caravan of loyalists from Lyari, who had vowed to protect Benazir the day she landed in Karachi after spending eight years in self-imposed exile.

Habib's family, like those of many other Janisaran from Lyari who were among the 180 people who died in the Karsaz blast, believe that the party has forgotten about them.

"No, they [the PPP leadership] don't remember us when they observe the anniversary of the blast," said Mehrbano. "We weren't even invited. No one visits us. No one even bothers asking how the families are surviving."



After the death of her brother, Mehrbano, her mother and two younger sisters had to face tough times. She said that it was difficult for them to make ends meet as they were completely dependent on Habib.

Just a memory

While Benazir Bhutto's heirs might seem to have forgotten these men, families of the deceased hold Bilawal and his siblings in great esteem. "Bilawal might be Benazir's son but he is just like one of our own," said Nasir's family. Nasir, like Habib, also passed away in the blast seven years ago.

While talking to The Express Tribune, Nasir's widow, Nissa, said that they were promised several things. The party, she said, did give her a job but she nominated her brother. "He supports his family, not mine," she said. "I was given an apartment in Landhi but it has no facilities."

She added that she also received a cheque for Rs300,000 five months after she lost her husband. The money was spent within months and the family is now in debt.

After Nasir's death, Nissa had to look after their son, Yasir, alone. Yasir is now in seventh grade. Currently, the mother and son, are living with Nissa's brother and his family in Jumah Parra near Cheel Chowk.

"My baba supported Benazir Bhutto," said Yasir. "I will support Bilawal."

Nissa couldn't hold her tears back when her son started remembering the Sundays he had spent with his father at Aladin Park. "I don't go there anymore," he said. "Now, I plan on completing my education and supporting my mother. I won't let her be dependent on others."

Rozina, a relative of Nasir's, is one of the women who visit the secretariat to make sure his photo is always visible. "The PPP is in our blood," said an old woman. "We will prove our loyalty to the family and party over and over again."

Party loyalists prepare to protect Bilawal

Brothers, Raza and Ahmed, were injured in the twin blast on October 18, 2007 on Karsaz. They were part of the Janisaran-e-Benazir Bhutto and had formed a human shield around the former Prime Minister as she moved towards the Quaid’s mazaar for a public gathering.

The brothers have once again decided to become a part of a caravan, but this time for Benazir’s son and chairperson of the PPP - Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

These loyalist will be the first line of protection in case the party’s chairperson is attacked during Saturday’s rally at the Quaid’s mazaar. More than 1,000 people have vowed to be part of Janisaran-e-Bilawal. They will form a human shield around the young leader and walk with him to the location of the jalsa.

“As soon as I heard the first blast that day [October 18, 2007], most of the Janisaran rushed to Benazir Bhutto’s container,” said Raza, a resident of Moosa Lane, Lyari. “I lost my right leg in the second blast and fell unconscious.” He added that 30 of the 800 Janisaran died in the blast and dozens more were injured. He claimed that despite losing his leg, his devotion to the party and its leaders had not wavered.

The human shield

The Janisaran, a group of party loyalists who protect the party leader by forming a human shield around them, was a security measure taken by the party days before Benazir Bhutto was due to arrive in Karachi in 2007.

"There are two types of Janisaran - one group works inside Bilawal House and other works outside," said Amir Chandio, who also sustained injuries in the Karsaz blasts.

He added that both groups worked together during big events such as Saturday's rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2014.