Pakistanis are engulfed by rage after Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Shahrukh Jatoi in the 2012 Shahzeb murder case.
The ruling came on Tuesday which has left citizens, including celebrities and well-known personalities enraged and questioning the justice system in Pakistan. Justice Ijazul Ahsan along with Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi were the three judges that heard the case.
In 2013, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) granted Shahrukh Jatoi and his accessory, Siraj Talpur, the death penalty, while the latter’s younger brother Sajjad Talpur and their domestic helper were given life imprisonment.
During the hearing, the accused’s legal counsel argued that “The accused had no intention of spreading terror. The murder event was presented as a case of terrorism”.
Background Of The Case
In 2012, the victim, Shahzeb Khan was traveling back from a wedding function with his family when one of Shahrukh’s employees verbally harassed Shahzeb’s sister. Shahrukh refused to apologize on behalf of his employee and the two got into an altercation but the matter was soon resolved by the victim’s father.
However, the accused and his accomplices later chased Shahzeb down and gunned him down at Saba Avenue in Karachi’s DHA area.
Following Supreme Court’s decision, the Attorney General for Pakistan has announced filing a review petition against the ruling.
Pakistani celebrities and netizens have expressed their frustration and dismay with Shahrukh’s acquittal. Here’s what how they are reacting:
“Power di game!!! Sickk!! Shameful!”
“Time to pack up and leave. For those of you who are young, educated and determined please, for the sake of your children, move out if the opportunity arises.”
“This just breaks me – when the justice and legal system fail you. It all comes down to who has more money! Allah insaf karega.”
“Having known the family of the accused personally & what went down that unfateful night, #SupremeCourtOfPakistan acquitting #ShahrukhJatoi in #Shahzeb murder case is a classic example of #injustice & makes me extremely worried abt the future of this country & our young people!”
“In Pakistan, if you belong to the elite class, your crime is not a crime but an achievement. And if you belong to a lower class, all the suffering and punishment is for you and the word “justice” doesn’t even exist.”
“What a mockery of Justice… Our system has thrown us at the mercy of many shahrukh Jatois roaming around freely in the country”
One does wonder why murdering a 20-year-old boy in public has no repercussions for the perpetrator. Our hearts go out to Shahzeb’s family & hope the Attorney General’s involvement brings them closer to justice.
It is heartening to know that people who have the power to influence aren’t holding back and using their influencer power to create awareness about the judgment, however, it remains to be seen if the power of a Twitter finger – many, in this case, will lead to a successful appeal and punishment of those who have committed crimes presumably in broad daylight.
What are your thoughts on the case?
