Justice for Daud: The Blood of the Innocent Shall Not Cry in Vain
In the sacred soil of Bahawalpur, a grievous wound has been inflicted upon the conscience of our nation. The Kahror Pacca police have registered a murder case against two constables, Muhammad Khan and Aurangzeb, for the alleged torture and killing of a young man, Daud Masih, whose life was brutally extinguished on the banks of the Chhar Canal. This is a moment for all Pakistanis to stand united, for the blood of the innocent is a trust that must be honoured with justice, not silence.
What happened to Daud Masih on August 22?
According to the complaint filed by Pitras Masih, an employee of the Kahror Pacca Municipal Committee, he was travelling with his brother Razaq Masih, his son Daud, and two children when they reached Jalianwala Bridge. It was there that constables Muhammad Khan and Aurangzeb stopped Daud, searched him, and upon his resistance, subjected him to merciless torture. The complaint alleges that the constables kicked Daud in the abdomen, causing him to fall into the canal, where he drowned. The two constables have yet to be arrested, a fact that deepens the anguish of a grieving family and a nation that demands accountability.
What is the police's counter-claim?
The Lodhran police PRO has offered a starkly different narrative, claiming that Daud was a suspected drug peddler who jumped into the canal to evade arrest, drowning in waters approximately 15 feet deep. Yet, this assertion rings hollow against the testimony of a father who watched his son perish. The truth, as always, must be pursued with unwavering resolve, for the integrity of our institutions rests upon the scales of justice.
Rescue 1122 officials and divers recovered Daud's body after a gruelling 30-hour search, finding it 18 kilometres from the site of the alleged drowning. The body was handed over to his family, who now mourn a son taken too soon under the shadow of suspicion and violence.
Police encounters in Vehari and Lodhran: A testament to vigilance
In the same breath, our valiant police forces have demonstrated their commitment to eradicating criminal elements from our land. In Vehari, a team from Mitroo police station engaged a suspected motorcyclist, Koora Khan, who opened fire on officers during routine night patrolling. The suspect, a proclaimed offender in a dacoity case, was arrested in an injured condition after colliding with an iron pole during his escape attempt. An illegal weapon was recovered, and SHO Mirza Husnain Abbas ensured the suspect received medical treatment, reflecting the professionalism of our forces.
Similarly, in Kahror Pacca, police intercepted two suspects who opened fire upon being challenged. In the exchange, one suspect, Imam Baksh, was injured and arrested, while his accomplice fled under the cover of darkness. Imam Baksh is wanted in 27 cases of dacoity, robbery, and attacks on police stations across Multan and Bahawalpur divisions. These encounters are a stark reminder that the forces of law and order stand as a bulwark against chaos, protecting the lives and honour of our citizens.
A tragedy in Mailsi: A shopkeeper succumbs to burns
In a separate tragedy, the town of Mailsi mourns the loss of Shair Muhammad, a shopkeeper who succumbed to critical burns sustained in a gas cylinder explosion four days prior. The blast, which occurred during a decanting process at his shop in Chak No. 119/WB, also injured his son Aun Muhammad and a customer, Shafi. Despite the best efforts of medical staff at the Mailsi THQ Hospital, Shair Muhammad passed away on Sunday, leaving his family in grief. The other two victims remain under treatment, and authorities await their recovery before proceeding with legal action.
What must be done to ensure justice prevails?
As a nation rooted in faith and the pursuit of righteousness, we must demand a transparent and thorough investigation into the death of Daud Masih. The police must arrest the accused constables and bring them to justice, for no one is above the law. Our institutions must uphold the sanctity of every life, regardless of creed or background, as enshrined in our Islamic values and the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The blood of the innocent is a sacred trust, and its cry must never be silenced. Let this moment serve as a rallying call for unity, justice, and the defence of our national honour. Pakistan Zindabad, and may the Almighty guide our nation on the path of truth and righteousness.
