Two deaths, one failure of justice
EDITORIAL: The horrifying killing of a teenage boy in Multan, followed by the death of the principal accused in an alleged police encounter, has exposed two deeply disturbing failures of Pakistan’s criminal justice system within days of each other. The circumstances surrounding the death of Waseem Abbas, who was reportedly chased and deliberately run over by a man employing him, demand the…
Two deaths, one failure of justice – that is the stark reality emerging from the horrific killing of a teenage boy in Multan and the subsequent death of the accused in an alleged police encounter, both raising serious concerns about Pakistan's criminal justice system.
Waseem Abbas, an apprentice electrician, was reportedly chased and deliberately run over by a man who employed him. CCTV footage shows the boy desperately trying to escape before being struck and crushed against a gate. Waseem had also reportedly suffered violence and threats from his employers, highlighting potential issues with the shelter system, working conditions, and lack of safeguards for vulnerable children.
Adding to the tragedy, Tauqeer Nazir, the principal accused, died following a police encounter in Bahawalpur. Initially arrested and granted three days of physical remand, he reportedly escaped custody. The circumstances surrounding his death demand an independent investigation, questioning how a suspect in a high-profile murder case managed to evade police custody, reach Bahawalpur, and the lack of evidence supporting the official account of the encounter.
The brutality of Waseem's killing and the unexplained death of Tauqeer have sparked public outrage. However, allowing violence to replace legal proceedings further undermines the institutions responsible for justice. The Punjab Crime Control Department has faced criticism over alleged extrajudicial killings and frequent police encounters, and this incident further deepens public suspicion about the methods used to combat crime.
The incident has deprived Waseem's family of the opportunity for a full trial and justice. Questions remain about Waseem's employment and the failures that left him vulnerable. An alleged encounter cannot end the wider investigation. The provincial government must ensure thorough scrutiny of both deaths, with independent investigations into the protection of vulnerable children and enforcement of workplace safeguards.
Any unlawful conduct by police personnel must be held accountable. Ultimately, the state's obligation to deliver justice through the law, regardless of the alleged offense, remains paramount. Two deaths in the same case leave Pakistan with a profoundly troubling question: how much faith can citizens retain in institutions that repeatedly fail to protect life and uphold the law?
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