Justice compromised

The civil society has strongly protested against the murder of local activist Nazim Jokhio who was brutally tortured by a PPP lawmaker. The case once again sheds light on how the rich and influential continue to evade justice and get away with murder.

Last week, police excluded the names of MNA Jam Abdul Karim and his brother MPA Jam Awais along with other suspects for torturing Nazim Jokhio, clearing their name from the murder case. Jam Karim had fled to Dubai after he was nominated but was garlanded by PPP leaders when he returned back to absolve himself.

The removal of their names caused outrage as activists deplored the brazen attempts to protect the political party’s leaders and how the scales were tipped in favour of the influential feudal. Even the law enforcement officers considered it dangerous to openly challenge the culprits and eventually stopped investigation. There were initially booked but there was no raids or arrests and were given a clean chit.

Nazim Jokhio was found murdered at a farmhouse last November after he stopped the foreign guests of the politicians from hunting the endangered houbara bustard. It was a petty issue which caused him his life. The case could have been simple to provide justice but unfortunately the entire provincial state apparatus has been siding with the culprits.

The case took a new turn when the widow of the slain activist pardoned all suspects, claiming there was no hope of receiving justice. The legal fraternity was divided on whether pardons have a legal standing but it was indeed heartbreaking to see his family losing all hope and fearing for their safety against the influential leaders.

The impunity and abuse of power by the rich and influential is a gross injustice. The fault lies within our society, absence of rule of law, and provision of justice. Instead of fixing the criminal justice system, the state created exceptions to favour the elite. The courts rather than dispensing justice comply by either providing bail or acquitting them. Nazim Jokhio was a victim of this system and justice will continue to elude him.