KARACHI: The body of a young man, who was allegedly tortured to death, was found at a farmhouse belonging to a PPP lawmaker in Malir area of Karachi.
According to reports, the youth Nazim Jokhio’s tortured body was found at Jam House, which belongs to MPA Jam Awais in Malir. Memon Goth Station House Officer (SHO) Khalid Abbasi said the victim allegedly died after being tortured with sticks and punches during a scuffle at the Jam House. He added that police had arrested two suspects in the case.
Nazim’s body shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for the completion of legal formalities where it remained for over five hours. Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Malir said that two suspects had been detained for interrogation and will start legal proceedings.
A case was registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Afzal Jokhio. Police have not confirmed the cause of the death.
The victim’s brother Afzal accused PPP MPA Jam Awais and MNA Jam Abdul Karim of being involved in his brother’s alleged murder. He said Nazim had made a video before his death after he was thrashed by the influential landlord.
In the video, Nazim said he had been tortured and threatened over a clip he shot of the guests of some influential persons hunting the endangered houbara bustard in his village near Jungshahi town. The victim can be heard saying that he shot a video on his mobile phone of some guests of the landlord hunting the endangered animal. He claimed the phone being was snatched and he was thrashed by the influential landlord.
Nazim said he visited a police station to file a complaint about being tortured. However, the victim narrated that he received threatening phone calls being asked to delete the video or face the consequences. Nazim blamed the persons at whose house the hunters were staying in case of any harm.
Nazim’s relatives and other members of the Jokhio community from Malir and adjoining areas staged a protest on Wednesday and blocked the National Highway near Gulshan-i-Hadeed. The protesters, led by Nazim’s brother, Afzal alleged that the victim was murdered at the behest of influential persons.
Afzal told media that Nazim had been receiving threats from the Jam House in Malir and was asked to visit the farmhouse immediately. He alleged that when he and his brother went there, MNA Abdul Karim started beating Nazim.
Afzal said that when he reached his house late on Tuesday night, Mohammed Khan Jokhio and Ishaq Jokhio, who belonged to Jam House, informed him that his brother had died. He said his brother was subjected to torture and was murdered.
Afzal urged the Sindh chief minister, Inspector General of Police, Rangers and other authorities for justice and the arrest of influential landlords for allegedly being involved in the murder.
Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh criticised officials over the delay in registering the FIR. He said that police were responsible for the delay in the post-mortem and registering the FIR, calling it “shameful”. He urged police to ensure the arrest of persons involved in the murder and assured the victim’s family of his support.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and directed police officials to register a case on the allegedly murder of the young man.
