Karachi: The police on Wednesday called for citizens’ help to provide a lead to nab two suspects involved in the murder of Shahzeb Khan, who was allegedly gunned down after a petty argument.
Khan, 20, was allegedly shot by Siraj Talpur and Shahrukh Jatoi on December 25 over a petty dispute, triggered after the latter’s servant tried to flirt with the victim’s sister.
According to reports, Talpur and Jatoi belong to influential feudal families and are using their clout to evade police action. This resulted in a delay in registering a first information report (FIR) on the murder.
Khan’s murder has angered members of civil society and political parties, which has resulted in rallies seeking justice for the victim’s family.
A vigil was held outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) by members of civil society along with the leaders of Muttahida Quami Movement and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Absconding
The protest rallies mounted pressure on the police, who started conducting raids to arrest the suspects. However, the duo are alleged to have escaped to their native towns in the province of Sindh.
Deputy inspector general (DIG) Shahid Hayat told the media that the police was making headway in the case despite political pressure. Citing how the police was conducting a thorough search in the rural areas of Sindh, Hayat denied reports that the suspects had fled the country.
However, Sikandar Jatoi, the father of a suspect, told a television channel that his son had left for Australia where he studied.
Meanwhile, Khan’s father vowed to tap seek justice. “I will go to the last extent to get justice for my son so that such influential people will not dare to murder another Shahzeb,” Aurangzeb Khan said.
An eye witness told the television channel that Jatoi had fired three gun shots when Khan was speeding his car to flee from his murderers.
Witness’ account
“He shouted I am Shahrukh and the son of Sikandar Jatoi and will not spare you,” the witness quoted Jatoi as saying. Then the gang chased Khan, who was found shot dead in his car.
The police on Tuesday arrested the family manager and a personal security guard of Jatoi, the prime suspect, and started interrogation to locate the two suspects.
The police action came soon after the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, took suo motu notice of the case and admitted it for hearing on Friday. The chief justice took notice after his office submitted to him press reports about the murder.
The Supreme Court has also summoned the provincial police chief and the advocate general to appear in the court on Friday vis-a-vis Khan’s murder.
