Daily Times

All the speculations, stories, innuendos and assumptions finally came to an end. The prime suspect at large, for the murder of Naqeeb Mehsud, the young Pakhtun who was brutally and extra judicially killed, finally presented himself to the apex court. The Supreme Court, exercising its suo-moto powers took notice of the horrific incident back in January of this year.

The eight weeks or so, when the former Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) of Malir, Rao Anwar was at large, the dear darling media spent countless number of hours debating the whereabouts of the suspect. The ever-reactionary media with the resident anchors and analysts and was busy trying to spin this entire episode as a person specific issue.

Then for entertainment’s sake, the stories were built around the possible and potential people who were potentially aiding and abetting the runaway. The innuendos were built around a political leader and a famous real estate tycoon. But the great minds could not deduce that such a high-profile person could not be hidden by private individuals, when the entire media was after him. Though the Co-Chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), former President Asif Ali Zardari, in a television interview termed him as a ‘brave son.’ This comment was flashed on tickers for a certain reinforcement.

Lest we forget, Mr. Anwar did try to escape from the Islamabad Airport to Dubai, and an officer at the airport did foil that attempt. The gentleman reportedly was in touch with the apex court, as he had sent a few written pleas to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Unusual and bizarre was the way, Mr. Anwar finally made his physical entry to the Supreme Court in extremely tight security protocol.

Mr Anwar’s entry to the apex court was nothing less of an entry of a Bollywood superstar or a major screen idol. The tube analysts raised questions, but did not name the place, where he was hidden, as it is considered off limits for them. The Defence Minister in an interview claimed that, Mr Anwar was presented to the apex court upon their request to a certain ‘institution.’ It is also being reported, that this entry was finally made upon an assurance and understanding, that his arrest and interrogation will only be limited to a specific murder.

The entire debate is about a person, who reportedly and allegedly was involved, in at least 444 extra-judicial killings in the city of lights. Why was such a person under the protection of the unnamed institution is what begs a question. The dear darling media opines, by arresting and perhaps sentencing such a character, the real issue of extra judicial killings will vanish. This is where they have it all wrong.

The real issue is the impunity with such executions are carried. Mr Anwar is merely an executioner, lack of better words a contract killer. The real issue is the line that gets erased, where a law enforcer transforms into a criminal. The state has the right to enforce and uphold its laws, but within the confines of the law. The state has the heavier burden to carry, by allowing every accused their right to a fair trial.

Rao Anwar’s appearance before the apex court was nothing less of an entry of a Bollywood superstar

The so called moral argument which is presented often on the tube in defence of such horrific acts, is the dysfunctional legal system.  Where it takes years and at times decades to dispense justice, so such officers dispatch the ‘bad guys’ to the other world, and by doing so, end up cleansing the community.

This is quite a repugnant and ill-founded argument, defying the very essence of the existence of a state. Citizens band together and relinquish their rights of protection to the state. If the state or its representatives stoop to the level of assassins then the state loses its legal and moral authority to govern. There are many such characters who act as the judge, jury and executioner all at the same time, under the guise of delivering speedy justice.

The handling of this episode is self-evident of what will eventually transpire out of this incident. If the scope of inquiry will only be limited to one incident of Naqeeb Mehsud and not the remaining 433 persons, will it bring peace, comfort, closure and justice to those bereaved families?

This entire incident was reported by the local and international media and it has been showcased by the foreign organizations as well. Needless to say, the civil rights movements that sprang because of this murder have captured the attention of the world. The United Nations has been updated about enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in our country.

From the looks of it, nothing earth shattering will come out of this probe. The suspect may go scot free or if by chance, convicted may end up getting a lighter sentence. Such images will be quite telling for the rest of the world and will not paint a pleasant picture. For that someone somewhere of the unnamed institution, this abhorrent, immoral practice must come to an end, before the world dictates us to do so.

The writer is a Pakistani-US mortgage banker. He can be reached at dasghar@aol.com. Twitter: @dasghar

Published in Daily Times, March 26^th 2018.