Pak authorities yet to make arrests in murdered Hindu leader’s case eight years on

KARACHI - Despite the Pakistan government giving several assurances to protect minorities, several marginalized sections of society, especially the Hindus, continue to bear the brunt of the government’s apathy in the country.

The fact is evident as in spite of assuring action against the murderers of prominent Hindu leader Sudhamchand Chawla, the Sindh government has failed to take any action against incumbent Sports Minister Ejaz Jakhrani even after eight years of Chawla’s death.

Chawla, the president of the Hindu Panchait, was killed in January 2002 in Jacobabad, where influential feudal lords such as the Jakhrani tribe led by Jakhrani and the Soomro tribe led by former Senate chairman Muhammadmian Soomro were struggling for political control at that time.

A first information report (FIR) was filed against against Ejaz Jakhrani and his relatives Mumtaz Jakhrani and Majeed Jakhrani.

The police also named Jakhrani’s father, Mir Ahmed Khan alias Babul Khan Jakhrani, in the FIR for forcing the culprits to kill Chawla, The Daily Times reports.

However, due their political influence there has been little action against those named in the FIR.

A couple of years back, the then district police officer of Jacobabad Munir Ahmed Khuhro had written a letter to the Sindh inspector general asking for permission to arrest Jakhrani, but his mail went unanswered.

When asked about the latest development in the case, Jacobabad City Police Station Station House Officer (SHO) Sikandar Soomro confirmed that FIR was lodged against Jakhrani and others, but also revealed that the names were withdrawn later.

“Later the names were withdrawn from the FIR and I don’t know how it happened, as it was done before I joined this police station.

The case is now against unidentified persons and has an A-class status, which means it was suspended temporarily and can be reopened at any time,” Soomro said. (ANI)