Hideous brutality of thugs in Sialkot in Pakistan.

by Dr Rifai

(August 30, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is beyond human description to write about this vicious act of human cruelty and barbarism. This happened in this holy month of Ramadan and this cruel incident happened in Pakistan when entire world is closely watching unfolding stories of flood victims. This happened to innocent teenagers who were fasting in this Holy Month of Ramadan. Ironically, this episode has taken place in the birth Place of one of greatest thinkers of Subcontinent Allama Iqbal. It is not my intention here to narrate full account of what happened to these two teenagers on the 15th August in Sialkot but rather to see its implications and consequences, Thanks to many Pakistani TV stations that broadcasted this incident. Political, religious, and military Leadership of Pakistan should learn many lessons form this unforgettable and brutal incident.

Let me report this appalling story for our readers, it is beyond my imagination to describe it and yet I will make it short and simple. It was early morning after Morning Prayer on the 15th of August that two boys named as Hafiz Mugheez and Hafiz Mubeeb set out to play in a Cricket match in Sialkot. They both hail from a very respected and religious family and both have memorised the Holy Quran. While both of these teenagers were riding through a village on a motorcycle on their way to cricket match they were approached by a mob of thugs. These thugs were looking for a robber who happened to have opened fire on two people in that village. These thugs stopped these two innocent teenagers and accused them of robbery and then started brutally beating them to death. These thugs used iron bars and heavy wood sticks to beat them brutally. They did not stop with this and they hanged up these teenagers’ body on the wall to show off to people. Irony of this incident is that it has taken place while entire villagers and police were looking at brutal killings. They did not have courage and moral responsibility to stop this carnage. It is reported that this incident has mistakenly taken place due to wrong identity. No one can say that this is a mistake. Police was present during this ordeal and they should have stopped this mob from beating them and they should have made formal enquiries from both sides. Neither police nor Mob gave opportunities to these teenagers to speak out a word or to explain their side of story; I think that police should take a full responsibility for their failure to discharge their duties in this incident and they should be put into trial and they should be punished to their failure to act immediately. What sort of police officers are these people who take law into their hands. Had they interfere they could have stop this killings and they could have taken up this incident to court.

Supposed these two teenagers have made a robbery as they have been accused of such robbery. Even, in that case the court of law should take action according to legal procedure. Police should record the incident and produce them in the court and it is up to judiciary to prosecute them had they done any wrong doing. How can these thugs take the law in their hands and do such barbaric things and how could they mutilate the bodies of these two boys whiteout any remorse or kindness in their hearts. How could all around them stand idly? Do they do not have hearts? Do not they have teenagers like these two boys? How could this happen in this modern world? if some one watch video clips of this carnage definitely they could come to a conclusion that these thugs are worst than animals?

It is irony that No Man came forward to stop beating of these teenagers rather people were enjoying at looking at this appalling incident. They were looking at these crying teenagers at the hands of mobs. It is very sad that in this holy month that no one came forward to stop this inhuman carnage. Real reason for this brutality is not clear yet. It may be a tribal vengeance or it may be really a mistaken identity or it may be personal revenge or it may be some other reasons. Whatever reason it may be No sound human being will accept this brutality and No one will tolerate this kind of barbarism. Even animals are not treated like this in this modern world. Whoever is responsible for this bloodbath should be brought to justice. Justice should be done to the family of these teenagers. It is not a difficult task to identify culprits in this case. The entire episode is recorded and therefore every one who involved in this case can be brought before the court of law without any difficulties. Police who stood idly in front of this bloodshed should be severely punished by court of law and the mob of thugs who used iron bars and wood sticks should be punished by court of law and public who stood idly in front of this carnage should take a share of responsibility for these killings. According to some classical Islamic legal theorists if a group people collaborated in a murder of person all those who collaborated should be punished and in this case entire villagers should take responsibility for this atrocity. Pakistan is created in the name of Islam by Jinnah and it is sad that these people badly represent this beautiful religion in Pakistan. It is said that most of Political leaders are corrupts in Pakistan and they do not bother about welfare of people and social structure of society is based on feudalism and tribalism. Moreover, Pakistan is divided on the basis of sectarianism and dogmatism than any other Muslim countries in the world and most of people are illiterates. Most of hieratical order of Leadership in politics, police and judiciary are corrupt. Under such social circumstances I doubt that this family will get justice in this case.

Nevertheless it is duty and responsibility of international human right organizations and commissions to play a great role in this case until justice is done to this family. Moreover, Amnesty international should interfere in this case and compel Pakistan political leadership to punish all culprits in this event. We live in a global village and any incident that takes place in any corner of world can be broadcasted in the entire world within a few minutes and therefore, people should be educated to behave with sense of humour and humanism. This incident not only gives bad name to Pakistan people but also it gives bad names for all Muslims. Pakistan Government should take strict actions against these people and it should clear its name and name of Pakistani people and it is not good time for the Government of Pakistan to take this incident very simply. It give bad name for its president and its give bad name for its police forces and it will give bad name for its judiciary if all these people do not take firm actions on this case. Had this happened in any other countries public would have punished all those police officers who stood idly in front of this incident and public would have forced the Police Commissioner to resign. What a bad example of Pakistan Police on this occasion? Pakistan need to train its Police forces on human rights issues and they needs to know how to control people and thugs in such occasions. My six year old boy happened to watch one of these clips in YouTube and instantly he said why do not police stop it? It is wired and if this happened in any other country police would have stopped it. May be this is a wake up call for police in Pakistan and they should learn a lot from this. It is reported some of these thugs have been arrested but it is not enough arrested them they should be punished with equal punishment as a lesion for all other thugs in this country.

Pakistan needs to reform its political system and it needs to clean up its politics. It needs a clean and good leadership free of corruption and fraud. Otherwise, it will have to face very difficult time in days to come. Above all it needs good education system and it needs to invest in education more than what it spends on arms. That is what it needs now. It needs to reform its religious education system as well. They all olden system of Religious teaching that needs radical changes.It is through religious education that these people be transformed and reformed. There is a long way to go in this direction as far as Pakistan is concerned. Pakistan needs to do a lot to protect human rights of its people. Thanks to all journalists who brought this incident into light.