LAHORE – The funeral of the three young men, two of whom were shot and one run over by American ‘officials’ on Thursday noon was held in their respective localities on Friday. The families of Faizan Haider and Faheem Shamshad, who were gunned down by American official Raymond Davis in Qartaba Chowk, lodged protests on Friday claiming police officials were pressing them to withdraw the cases.
On Friday, Lahore Police handed Faizan and Faheem’s bodies to their heirs after conducting autopsies. The relatives of the deceased took the bodies home on Qasoorpura on Ravi Road and Baigum Kot main road (near the American Consulate). Faizan’s heirs lodged a protest and blocked main Ravi Road, setting tyres on fire. Similarly Faheem’s heirs kept the Baigum Kot main road blocked over an hour and burnt tyres.
Over 150 protestors joined Faizan’s family in protesting. Faheem’s family was joined by over 300 protestors with heirs chanting slogans against ‘brutal’ Americans. The protestors chanted ‘down with America’ with the families demanding capital punishment for the accused official. Not robbers: Faizan brother speaking to media said his brother was not a robber.
“My brother was going to meet his uncle in General Hospital when he became the American’s victim. He was not carrying an illegal weapon. The weapon was licensed and he was carrying it for his protection. We have an old feud.” He said his brother Kamran Haider had been murdered by their rivals on 9th of Muharram and a case had been registered with Sheikhupura Police.
“Faizan used to to attend court proceedings in his elder brother’s murder case, he had to protect himself,” he said. Faizan’s wife appeared exhausted. She was barely able to speak to media. She said, “I married Faizan only two month ago. I never found Faizan involved in illegal activities. The Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief Minister of Punjab should bring the American official to justice and condemn him to the gallows.”
Faheem’s heirs talking to media claimed senior police officials were pressurising them to withdraw the case against the American official. They further claimed that police were trying to declare Faheem as a robber. Faheem’s wife participated in the protest and said she had contracted marriage with him four months ago.
She recalled her memorable time with Faheem and repeated the demand of condemning the American official to the gallows. Locals of the Ravi Road and Shahdara areas talking to media said they have never heard any compliant of Faizan and Faheem. They said both ran legit businesses which dismissed the likelihood of them being robbers.
Protestors disbursed and took the bodies back home after senior police officials reached the scene and assured them justice. The police officials including SP City Division Dr Shahzad and concerned DSP’s told protestors that two cases had already been registered against the American on their request and investigations were underway. After getting assurance, the families of Faizan, Faheem and Abad Ur Rehman laid them to rest after funerals in their local graveyards.
CM visits: Late on Friday night Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif visited the house of deceased Abad ur Rehman and condoled his death. The Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif ensured family that justice will be done and those responsible will be punished according to law.
Constable: Capital City Police Officer, Lahore Aslam Tarin and PML (N) leader Khawja Saad Rafiq visited the house of martyred constable Allah Ditta who died in the Chehlum blast and presented a cheque of Rs 3 million to his family on Friday. The CCPO announced Allah Ditta’s son would be recruited in the Lahore Police and the government would take care his children’s education.
