Karachi extra-judicial killing shocks Pakistan

The members of National Assembly across the board on Thursday condemned the killing of a young man by Rangers personnel in Karachi and urged Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to give exemplary punishment to the accused. The members were of view that the babaric act was a matter of shame for the country, the parliament, public representative and law enforcing institutions. Most of the members were in favour of punishing the Rangers personnel. Pakistan Muslim League -- Nawaz leader Khwaja Sad Rafique demanded the government to register a case against officials of Rangers under terrorism act for brutally killing the young man.
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Police on Thursday booked two out of six Ranger personnel for shooting dead a young man at point blank range in a park after the “extra-judicial” killing was filmed live and broadcast on television.

Five officials of the Rangers rounded on 25-year-old Sarfraz Shah at Benazir Park in Clifton area on Wednesday, claiming he had tried to rob a policeman’s family.

A police official, who wished anonymity, said that only a toy gun had been recovered from the boy.

Footage of the incident, filmed by cameraman Abdul Salam Soomro, was broadcast repeatedly on local television stations. Talking to reporters, Soomro said that he had been receiving threatening calls. Boat Basin police registered an FIR under Section 302/34 against Muhammad Asghar and Shahid Zafar of wing 33. Four other accomplices have not been nominated in the FIR.

The victim’s older brother Salik, who is a TV reporter, said Sarfaraz, who was initially named wrongly by police as Sabir, was a student who had been looking for work to support his poverty-stricken family.

“He was a decent and mannered person with no criminal record whatsoever. Charges from the Rangers that he was a robber are ridiculous and criminal.” “He went to the park to pass the time.” “What we want is justice. Befitting justice.”

Meanwhile, the Rangers director general on Thursday said that the death of the youth by the firing of some Rangers personnel was an “unfortunate” incident.

In a statement, the DG, while offering his condolences to the bereaved family, assured that those responsible would not be spared. He said that a high-level inquiry had been initiated.

Shah’s funeral prayer was offered at Hijrat Colony, Abdullah Ground.

The deceased youth was laid to rest in Paposh graveyard. Hundreds of journalists, political and civil society members attended the funeral.