- Influential hit-and-run Baloch MPA released on bail
The race may not always be to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but in our society one thing is certain, the law generally favours those with money and clout rather than the underdog. Judges sometimes take suo moto notice of particularly heart-rending cases, but even just and exemplary judgments may be rendered meaningless by abuse of the Qisas and Diyat Ordinance. Abdul Majeed Achakzai, legislator in the Balochistan Assembly, related to the PkMAP leader Mahmood Achakzai, whose brother is governor of the province, another sibling a minister, may be a case in point. He rammed his speeding luxury vehicle straight into a traffic sergeant at Quetta in June 2017 and then the lawless lawmaker sped away. The knowing police deliberately registered an FIR against unknown accused, only arresting him days later. In prison, the comforts of home were duly provided to him, and he remained arrogant throughout, showing little remorse or repentance. On Wednesday the ATC Judge granted him bail, fixing the case for January 8. The heirs of his victim, a widow, two sons, three daughters, and parents will be subjected to the usual badgering, sweetened with a huge amount as Diyat, an offer few can refuse — or else!
This case partially resembles the Shahzeb Khan tragedy of December 2012, which was also a case of premeditated murder. The case dragged on in various courts, and the main culprit (sentenced to death by an ATC), Shahrukh Jatoi, with a feudal background, and his two accomplices were also freed on bail last Saturday by the sessions court. The two cases show how the high and mighty or their scions can kill innocent people and manage to get away on account of political influence or money at their disposal. In murder cases a compensation may seal the deal in the accused’s favour, who is ‘forgiven in the name of Allah’. Majeed Achakzai’s case also exposes the leadership of a political party which parades itself as both nationalist and enlightened but uses its influence to get a murderer bailed out.