With Rao Anwar being released on bail, we as a nation have put to shame another father. We have showed underprivileged sections that laws only apply to them.
The killer in question has a vital role in Naqeeb’s murder as per the Supreme Court. This view is backed by two separate reports. Similarly, the counter-terrorism court of Sindh has dubbed Naqeeb’s encounter as fake. Despite these facts, Rao has been granted bail.
The state conveyed to the father of Naqeeb that his trust in the judicial process is without any rhyme or reason. We, in fact, tried to push him towards adopting violent means of attaining justice. Our judiciary has passed on the message that justice can’t be attained through legal means. However, considering the strong nerves of Naqeeb’s father, one can rest assure that even now he will continue pursuing a legal course of action. If he comes victorious, then it will lend peace to Naqeeb’s soul. And if the result remains contrary, then it will be our failure as a nation. In other words, Naqeeb’s father as an individual will be victorious in both the scenarios. But we as a nation will be losers.
In addition, the judiciary’s role is supposed to be to put a bandage on the wounds of citizens, not to scratch them. Its role is to guarantee justice to the hapless. However, here in Pakistan, its role seems to be to indulge in irrelevant matters, i.e. dam construction and paying the national debt.
To top all of this, the unjust proceedings of the case are obvious. For example, the investigation officer (IO) didn’t appear in court to present his findings.
Such impassiveness on the part of state authorities made waves among the Pashtun community. They argue that an influential killer of 444 people is given more importance than the sentiments of 40 million Pashtuns. Their apprehensions are spot-on given the fact that out of 444 people killed by Rao, 317 were Pashtuns
Such impassiveness on the part of state authorities made waves among the Pashtun community. They argue that an influential killer of 444 people is given more importance than the sentiments of 40million Pashtuns. Their apprehensions are spot-on given the fact that out of 444 people killed by Rao, 317 were Pashtuns. So the state should cater to the feelings of its patriotic people rather than treating a killer preferentially. Besides, the just conclusion of Naqeeb’s murder case will further unify our beloved country.
By and large, Rao’s bail passes the wrong message to the masses, and it is one that will prove perilous for the state in the long run.
The writer can be contacted at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, July 19th 2018.