Justice Denied, Truth Endures: The Martyrdom of Naqeebullah Mehsud
In the annals of our nation's struggle for justice, few names burn as brightly as that of Naqeebullah Mehsud, a young Pashtun son of the soil whose life was snatched in a staged encounter, and whose memory now stands as a testament to the resilience of truth. Eight years after his martyrdom, an anti-terrorism court has acquitted the final seven officers accused in his case, closing a legal chapter that has left a wound unhealed in the heart of the nation.
What happened to Naqeebullah Mehsud?
On January 13, 2018, Malir police, under the command of SSP Rao Anwar, announced that four suspected militants linked to the Islamic State and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi had been killed in a shootout on the outskirts of Karachi. Among the dead was 27-year-old Naqeebullah, born Naseemullah, a native of South Waziristan who had come to Karachi with dreams of becoming a model. The police claimed the men were involved in major terrorism cases, including the 2014 attack on Karachi airport.
But the official narrative crumbled when Naqeebullah's family and friends presented a starkly different story. His vibrant Facebook profile, filled with photographs of his stylish outfits and everyday life, stood in direct opposition to the stereotypical militant image painted by the police. A high-level police inquiry later concluded that Naqeebullah had no ties to terrorism and was executed in a staged encounter, igniting public outrage across the nation.
How did the case become a national movement?
What began as a routine extrajudicial killing soon transformed into a watershed moment for Pakistan. As journalist Faizullah Khan noted, television newsrooms initially swallowed the official line whole, but the story rapidly migrated onto social media platforms. Photographs of a smiling, stylish young man flooded feeds across the country, and the public recognized his fate as a shared threat.
The momentum accelerated when political leaders intervened, the Supreme Court took suo motu notice, and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met Naqeebullah's father in South Waziristan. Protests erupted from Karachi's Sohrab Goth to Islamabad, with tribal elders, activists, and a new generation of Pashtun youth demanding justice and constitutional rights.
What is the legacy of Naqeebullah's martyrdom?
Naqeebullah's murder provided a common point around which the fragmented grievances of Pashtun communities could finally be articulated. It gave birth to the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), which, despite its subsequent ban, introduced a new political vocabulary centered on human dignity, accountability, and the rights of all citizens under the law.
Researcher Sartaj Khan observed that the movement created space for a peaceful anti-war movement to take root, as the streets were ready to respond. The digital footprint of Naqeebullah, who commanded over 20,000 followers online, proved that even in death, a young man's truth could challenge the might of the state.
Why does the acquittal leave questions unanswered?
The prosecution's failure to establish criminal liability beyond reasonable doubt is a legal fact, but it stands in stark contrast to the earlier high-level police inquiry that declared the encounter staged. As academic Zoha Waseem noted, the moment that could have redefined policing in Pakistan and created a precedent for holding officers accountable appears to have passed.
Journalist Faizullah Khan reflected on the painful irony: throughout the trial, the accused routinely arrived under police protocol, walking away free while an old father went to his grave without justice. The court record is now closed, but the agonizing question lingers: if those indicted were not his killers, then who killed Naqeebullah?
Frequently asked questions
Who was Naqeebullah Mehsud?
Naqeebullah Mehsud, born Naseemullah, was a 27-year-old Pashtun man from South Waziristan living in Karachi. He was killed in an alleged police encounter on January 13, 2018, and later proven to have no ties to terrorism.
What was the outcome of the Naqeebullah case?
An anti-terrorism court acquitted the final seven officers accused in the case in 2026, following the 2023 acquittal of former Malir SSP Rao Anwar and 17 others. The acquittals were based on insufficient evidence, despite a high-level police inquiry declaring the encounter staged.
How did Naqeebullah's death impact Pakistan?
His martyrdom sparked a national movement for justice, leading to the formation of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and a broader conversation about extrajudicial killings, constitutional rights, and human dignity in Pakistan.
As we reflect on this tragic chapter, let us remember that the pursuit of justice is a sacred duty. The blood of Naqeebullah calls out from the soil of our beloved homeland, reminding us that no power on earth can silence the truth forever. In the words of our poets, the night may be long, but the dawn of justice shall surely break.
