Pakistan - Grisly murder

Karachi has become a centre of target killings, grisly murders, assassinations and sectarian violence. The latest victim of this death-trap was Dr Syed Waheedur Rehman, an Assistant Professor at the University of Karachi, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in broad daylight. Rehman expired after receiving bullet wounds in the face, head and chest. The Karachi University suspended all educational activities and examinations for two days in the wake of the killing of its faculty member. Despite the ongoing operation by the law enforcement agencies with the help of the army, there seems no end to such killings. It seems that they all have failed to restore peace in the biggest city of Pakistan. So far, the police are clueless about the murderers. Speculations are ripe that it was a sectarian murder, because the late professor belonged to the Shia community. Another opinion is that Professor Rehman was a close associate of Dr Shakeel Auj who was murdered last year and he was pursuing this case. It was widely speculated that the deceased was linked to a seminar on Balochistan to be held at the university on May 6. Confirming that Rehman — popularly known as Yasir Rizvi — was not Shia, police said the murder could be a case of mistaken identity and hence, sectarian killing. A fifth academician has been murdered in Karachi in less than a month. Are these murders a carefully planned counter-narrative aiming to prove those people wrong who claim that targeted killings have declined after the Rangers' operation in Karachi?

Whatever the reason may be, the law enforcement agencies need to thoroughly probe this case and resolve this murder mystery. The murder of a capable educationist is a national loss. Although the President and the Prime Minister have taken notice of this brutal killing, yet the culprits must be captured and handed down punishments on an immediate basis for committing such a heinous crime. The matter should not be limited to mere condolences and protests. By killing intellectuals, the extremists are clearing the ground for their mindless faith and ideas. The silent majority will pay a big price for their silence. Soon they will come after everyone that raises a voice for justice and accountability. Already rampant violence has terrorised citizens and serious efforts are needed to rid Karachi of criminal elements.