To,

Gen. Pervaz Musharaf,

President of Pakistan

Honorable President,

I am a Pakistani-born US citizen. The purpose of this letter is to seek justice.

On March 23, 2006, my mother, “Gulzar Begum,” was brutally murdered in Karachi because she resisted giving 2 lak rupees to the murderer, “Aftab Kazmi,” when he demanded. Aftab ran away after shooting. A nearby beggar, who witnessed the entire incident, later identified the murderer during police investigation. Aftab Kasmi was captured and put in jail for judicial proceedings. Among other witnesses, there were few women who later denied identifying the murderer because they feared the outcome.

I remember exactly that the beggar told the police and my family that he saw Aftab Kasmi killing my mother with an armed pistol. Over time, during the murder trials, we had been sensing the tone in which the beggar was speaking to us was changing. Perhaps the witness was politically and financially influenced. Rumor has it that the beggar was pressurized through unofficial briefing by the Governor’s Office and local MQM (Muttahida Quami Movement), a local political organization. On one occasion, my brother, “Mamoor,” was also told by Aftab’s elder brother, “Mehtbab Kazmi,” that Aftab was also pulled in the Governor’s office for instructions, and he and his brother was the member of MQM for 15 years. Who else is going to be served next by the Governor’s office? Government lawyer? Judge?

Methab Kasmi has been repeatedly threatening Mamoor on the phone. He mentioned that he was investigating our family background, going back more than 25 years, and he knew the ins-and-outs of our family. He claimed that he knew too much to hurt our family at any time.

Defendant lawyer has submitted the bale request for Aftab Kazmi. What force on the earth can let the murderer go free? Justice is not prevailing when the Governor of the state and the major political party, “MQM,” continue to support the murderer and the dark side of our society.

I believe in getting justice, and I know my mom deserves to receive justice through the public court system. If the judicial system is so weak that it can be influenced then we must raise our voices to shutdown down such lame judicial system of Pakistan and create a new system that works.

As I am writing, I am currently sitting in the court house of the United States in Maryland. I have been called for Jury duty. I admire the judicial system here where justice prevails. I wish Pakistan would also follow similar standards.

I went to seek help for my mom’s case in the United States court house. I received advices from Public Defenders, Legal Aid and Criminal Case Attorney offices. I was advised to engage Washington DC lobbyist that works for Pakistan, Congressman, US Consulate General in Islamabad and Pakistan Consulate Washington DC to seek justice. I hope you understand my pain, and I wish that you offer any help in bringing justice in my mom’s case.

Jang Karachi News: “Valiant labour leader dies fighting. Pakistan was robbed of an outstanding labour leader when Gulzar Begum lost her life after being shot by unidentified gunmen on March 23…” [http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/apr2006-daily/06-04-2006/metro/k13.htm]

Gulnews