KARACHI: The grief-stricken parents of Malaysia-returned student Intizar Ahmed, 19, who was shot dead by officials of the Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) on Khayaban-i-Ittehad in Defence Housing Authority on Saturday night for not stopping his car, urged the chief justice of Pakistan on Sunday to provide them relief as they did not expect justice from the police.

Speaking at a press conference, the parents and their lawyer said the law of the jungle was prevalent in the city as the teenager was gunned down just for not stopping his car.

“My son was innocent! They killed my only son, who was only 19 years old,” said the mother.

She begged for justice and said, “Give me justice or kill me also.”

The father, Ishtiaq Ahmed, said he raised his only son with sheer love and care.

“He kissed me while leaving the home after offering Asr prayer on Saturday and said he would be back after taking dinner with friends,” said the father.

He added that he received information about the incident at around 8pm on Saturday.

“Will I ever be able to know why they killed my son?” said the visibly shaken father.

The mother said the killers were ‘influential’ and therefore she was not expecting to get justice.

“They destroyed my home,” said the mother, while begging for justice.

Broken parents’ appeal to CJP; six ACLC officials held; CM offers judicial inquiry into matter

The murdered teenager was studying in Malaysia and arrived in the city on Nov 19, 2017 to spend vacations with his parents.

‘Policemen were in civvies, used private vehicles’

A senior police officer, who did not want to be named, told Dawn there were nine armed ACLC policemen who were travelling on two motorbikes and in a car, all private vehicles.

“They were deployed in civilian dresses because car-snatching incidents have increased in the Defence area,” added the officer.

He further said the ACLC officials tried to stop the teenager’s car over some suspicion but he did not stop it, thinking the men in plain clothes were robbers.

“The ACLC officials chased his car on two motorbikes and in one car and opened fire at it, resulting in the death of Intizar, who was hit in the head.

“As many as 16 spent bullet casings fired from 9mm pistols were found on the crime scene and sent to the forensic lab. It is still not clear if the boy was alone or travelling with a male or female friend,” the police officer said.

“Six ACLC officials have been detained and handed over to Darakshan police for legal action whereas three others have gone into hiding.”

Meanwhile, Darakshan SHO Aurangzeb Khattak told Dawn that those taken into custody were inspector Tariq Mehmood (ACLC police station SHO), inspector Azhar Ahsan Rizvi, head constables Ghulam Abbas and Shahid, and constables Ghulam Abbas and Fawad Khan.

The SHO added that a murder case had been registered on a complaint of the victim’s father on Saturday night.

“During the initial probe, it transpired that the ACLC officials were involved in the killing,” he said.

Three ACLC officials who have gone missing were inspector Tariq Rahim and constables Daniyal and Bilal.

Meanwhile, CIA DIG Saqib Ismail Memon suspended all the nine police officers with immediate effect, pending inquiry into their conduct.

CM’s offer

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, while expressing condolences to the father of the deceased at his DHA residence, said he could order a judicial inquiry for his (father’s) satisfaction.

“The murder of Intizar at the hands of the police is unacceptable and I assure you that the killers cannot run away,” the CM said.

Mr Shah directed Additional IG Mushtaq Maher to watch the CCTV footage and show it to the father so that the family remained on board about all developments.

“The investigation and inquiry should be transparent,” the CM said. “Being a father myself, I can feel your pain and what you have been going through,” he told the victim’s father.

The chief minister then told the additional IG: “I want you to get the investigation done by your most efficient officer and keep me informed about all progress.”

Talking to the media, Mr Shah said some policemen had been arrested and raids were being conducted to arrest the absconding ones.

“I cannot share everything with you at the moment as it can affect the investigation process, but I assure you that the killers will not be spared,” he said.

The chief minister was accompanied by MPA Saeed Ghani and Senator Murtaza Wahab.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2018