Daily Times

Let me share a big secret with you today. It is about my recent contact with a high profile miscreant who I have been meeting secretively. Trust me, he is not an ordinary local thug; he is an extremely resourceful person, a man with deep pockets and long powerful hands. God bless his soul, he was all in tears when I met him the first time, regretting his crimes profusely. I was impressed as I watched him confess his wrongdoings and was moved by his determination to change course in future.

Although it is also true that his entire group is passing through some rough times nowadays, nonetheless, in my opinion, the real motive for him to transform is purely intrinsic, as he is not a man who would succumb to external pressures. With a lump in his throat, he repeatedly told me that he wanted to become a responsible citizen and was looking forward to pay his dues back to the community. Listening to his admission of guilt, I stepped forward to comfort him and offered him hope with a real possibility of another chance. Based on my understanding of the law and the legal process, I told him that after his sentence was over, he could resume a normal productive life in which he could teach all Pakistanis about his experiences as a gangster and guide them how to protect themselves from others in future. He was delighted to hear me cheering him up and insisted to continue to meet him a few more times, which I agreed to do, in a heartbeat. As we discussed the details about his plans a little more, I realised there was something in his expression that had started to make me uncomfortable. Initially, I could not pinpoint it, so I kept quiet and waited. I did not have to wait long, and very soon the reason for my discomfiture became clear.

Next time, once I mentioned about his prosecution again, he looked at me surprised, not sure what I was talking about. Later on, he stated he was not planning to seek punishment at all, nor did he think he should present in front of a court. I was appalled by his response. His facial expression had become tense and he looked angry instead of being remorseful anymore. “There are so many other ‘respectable people’ who are busy stealing and killing the innocents; they would never be incarcerated, then why should I?” he said. “I am ready to contribute for the betterment of the society, as much as I could, but I would not subjugate.”

Afterwards, he confided in me his plans for the betterment of the community, as he said he believed in redemption only through good deeds. He revealed that over the last few years, he had accumulated some wealth, not a lot, but enough, and had stashed it in a foreign bank, and now it could be donated to charity. As his first step, he would pay a large amount, very soon, to an orphanage for the education of the children. After being released from the institution, his programme would provide them vocational training and they would be able to make two ends meet respectably. Furthermore, he agreed with my idea of teaching, both formally in a local university and informally, through writing a book. In the end, he intends to visit Saudi Arabia, perform Hajj at the earliest and ask Merciful God for his forgiveness. In this way, his matter will be strictly between him and His God, and he was confident that he would be able to stand tall on the Day of Judgment. On that day, he would present his case logically to Almighty Allah that his measures did not only rectify his previous shortcomings on an individual level, but society at large also benefited from his reformation and through the orphan welfare trust. To me, he also mentioned that people in jails are ordinary criminals, sometimes his own subordinates working in the streets; and being locked up in a cell would only be counterproductive, as his potential to help the country would be wasted there. “Pakistan needs people like me: talented, dedicated and educated.”

His attitude reeked of arrogance and I started wondering about his real intentions. When I was approached to see him privately through some common acquaintances a few weeks ago, I did not know him personally at all; and had only heard about him through the newspapers. But still, I consented to set up an appointment at a secret place. He made all the arrangements to meet me and, initially I must admit, he convinced me with his contrition. However, as I spent more time with him I was getting confused about exactly how I could assist him. Not agreeing with his plans of charity and repentance without the law taking its course, I just apologised and excused myself. As I opened the door to leave, “We have always helped each other out, My Lord, I am asking for one more favour,” I heard him call me.

My face had turned red. I was not expecting him to reveal my identity at this moment, especially when the conditions of our privacy were negotiated long before our encounter. “Sir, times have changed, we are not alone anymore; everything is recorded nowadays,” I snapped back.

The writer is a US-based freelance columnist. He tweets at @KaamranHashmi and can be reached at skamranhashmi@gmail.com