Target Killing of Three Lawyers in Karachi – Demand the Arrest and Prosecution of Perpetrators Involvied in the Inhuman and Criminal Act

Condemn the inhuman and criminal act of killing of three lawyers in Karachi and call for immediate arrest and prosecution of perpetrators invovled in the incident.

Four lawyers were attacked by unidentified armed men in Karachi. Three were killed while fourth one is in critical condition in the hospital. Pakistan Bar Council has announced a nationwide strike in protest of the killings. Now total number of lawyer’s killing in Karachi reaches to 14. If lawyers who defend the innocent citizens, both at the courts and outside, are not safe in this country, nobody can feel secure.  

These killers did not come from the sky. They were chasing the lawyers from the city court premises and shot the lawyers at a point-blank range. Question arises why police failed to cordon off the area, why police failed to cordon off the crime scene. Thanks to Home Minister Sindh who has ordered the suspicion of the SHO Aram Bagh (area of incident) but the suspension of the SHO will not help in apprehending the culprits. Chief Minister, Sindh, Governor Sindh, Home Minister, IG Police, DG Ranger and other highest official of the Sindh Government must design an effective strategy to deal with the target killings and take serious and concrete actions to prevent such incidents for improving the security of the citizens.Mr. Badar Munir Jaffery, his son Kafeel Jaffery and nephew Shakeel Jaffery were killed when unidentified men on motorcycles intercepted their car near Pak Chowk and sprayed bullets over it. Mr. Barkat Ali, the fourth occupant, who was accompanying them also seriously injured and admitted to the Civil Hospital Karachi in a critical condition.This is not the first time that lawyers have been targeted and killed. In last few months, more than 11 lawyers have already been killed in Karachi and no culprit has been apprehended, prosecuted and sentenced. This is further encouraging the culprits to shed more bloods and kill citizens including lawyers. If the level of security of lawyers is low in the country then we can imagine the security of common masses.Actions Taken:

Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat Ebad ordered the immediate arrest of the attackers involved in the killings of lawyers. Pakistan Bar Council has announced a nationwide strike in protest of killing, Chief Justice, Sindh High Court has taken suo moto action on the killing and summoned the Sindh Police Chief and other official responsible for the security of the citizens. The Home Minister has suspended the Aram Bagh SHO (Station House Officer) where the incident took place and asked the police to submit the report within 48 hours.

Besides, a committee has also been constituted under the supervision of DIG South Commandant, Mr. Shoukat Ali Shah to investigate the killings.[1] These all steps taken by the Court and the Police authorities are not new. They have become routine actions and will not give any result because these actions are reactionary steps to silence the anger of the public.

According to some witnesses a police constable was present at the spot but he instead of targeting the culprits, resorted to aerial firing. We fail to understand that why our Police and law enforcement forces have failed to comprehend the culprits responsible for the killings of innocent citizens. These killers did not come from the sky. They were chasing the lawyers from the city court premises and shot the lawyers at a point-blank range. Question arises why police failed to cordon off the area, why police failed to cordon off the crime scene. Thanks to Home Minister Sindh who has ordered the suspicion of the SHO Aram Bagh (area of incident) but the suspension of the SHO will not help in apprehending the culprits. Chief Minister, Sindh, Governor Sindh, Home Minister, IG Police, DG Ranger and other highest official of the Sindh Government must design an effective strategy to deal with the target killings and take serious and concrete actions to prevent such incidents for improving the security of the citizens.

---

[1] Other members of the committee are SSP South Naeem Sheikh, SP Saddar, Tariq Dharejo, Crime Range SP Niaz Ahmed Khoso, Chief of the Special Investigation Unit, SSP Shah Jahan Khan

---

[1] Other members of the committee are SSP South Naeem Sheikh, SP Saddar, Tariq Dharejo, Crime Range SP Niaz Ahmed Khoso, Chief of the Special Investigation Unit, SSP Shah Jahan Khan