I belong to a tribe which was involved in tribal conflicts. While I was at work, my family entered into a conflict with some neighbours, and the opponents also included my name in the FIR. As I was returning home, the police caught me and put me in a lock-up.

After my release, I sought revenge; accompanied by my friends, I attacked our opponents. One person was killed and many were injured. Then I become an absconder and now, I work with a criminal group which is involved in theft, robbery, vehicle snatching, kidnapping for ransom etc. I don’t feel any guilt as the opponents were very powerful and I could not do anything against them legally. That’s why I chose this way.

— Unemployed man, age 28, from Sindh

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, October 19th, 2014