Murder of Nazim Jokhio

Nazim Jokhio murder case (Sindhi: ناظم جوکيو جو قتل‎) is a high-profile murder case in Sindh, Pakistan. Jam Abdul Karim Bijar a member of the National assembly (MNA) from NA-236 (Malir-I) torched and brutally murdered Nazim Sajawal Jokhio, in Salar Kot, Sindh on 3 November 2021.[1]

Bijar flew to Dubai immediately after the murder and was declared absconded by the Malir judicial magistrate on 27 January 2022.[2] The case was transferred to Anti Terrorism Court on 7 February 2022[3] On 12 January 2023, court acquitted Jam Awais Bijar Khan Jokhio and others after an out-of-court settlement.[4]

Background

Before the murder, Nazim Jokhio filmed Pakistan Peoples Party's MNA Jam Abdul Karim Bijar and foreigners hunting Houbara bustard, an endangered species of migratory bird in Pakistan, in the Thatta district, Sindh.[5] Jokhio was threatened to remove the video or to face the consequences. According to Jokhio's brother, he refused to delete the video.[6] Jokhio stated on video, the night before his murder, that he was getting death threats from Bijar.[7]

Nazim Jokhio was killed after being tortured in a farmhouse near Malir's Jam Goth area, belonging to Bijar.[5] Autopsy revealed several torture marks and reflected that he sustained trauma before death; including on his genital area.[7]

Police did not act on the incident due to the influential nature of MNA, before there was uproar on social media on 5 November 2021.[7] The suspected murderer, Bijar, along with his brother was able to escape the country and reach Dubai before the police could reach them.

Investigation and trial

A case was booked on Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan against MNA Jam Abdul Karim Bijar, Pakistan Peoples Party Member of provincial assembly Jam Awais and the other five suspects.[8] The MNA came back to Pakistan to participate in no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, however, he arranged prior protective bail.[9]

In the turn of events Jokhio's widow pardoned Jam Abdul Karim Bijar,[10] [11] however, before this Jokhio's brother Afzal Jokhio also withdrew case against influential Pakistan Peoples Party's MNA under pressure.[12]

Other nominees in Nazim Jokhio's case including the brother of Jam Abdul Karim, and member of Sindh Assembly Jam Awais, and his guards acquitted by count after an out-of-court settlement on 12 January 2023.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Relatives of man found dead at PPP lawmaker's farmhouse stage sit-in for 2nd day in Karachi". DAWN.COM. November 4, 2021. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  2. ^ "MPA Awais, four others chargesheeted in Nazim Jokhio murder case". www.thenews.com.pk. January 27, 2022. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  3. ^ "Karachi court refers Nazim Jokhio murder case to ATC". DAWN.COM. February 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Web Desk (12 January 2023). "Nazim Jokhio case: Court acquits PPP MPA Jam Awais, others". ARY NEWS.
  5. ^ a b "Man who filmed influential persons found tortured to death at PPP MPA's farmhouse". dunyanews.tv. November 4, 2021. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Dead body recovered from PPP lawmaker's farmhouse in Karachi's Malir". Dawn.com. November 3, 2021. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Nazim Jokhio murder case: With great power, comes the ability to bend the criminal justice system to your will". dawn.com. April 18, 2022. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  8. ^ "Nazim Jokhio Murder: Police add terrorism charges against SUSPECTS". arynews.tv. 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "PPP MNA Jam Abdul Karim returns to Pakistan ahead of voting on no-trust move". news360.tv. 31 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Nazim Jokhio murder case: SHC approves bail of PPP MNA Jam Abdul Karim". geo.tv. Archived from the original on 2022-04-22. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  11. ^ "Difficult to get justice in Pakistan: Jokhio's widow pardons killers". samaaenglish.tv.
  12. ^ "Nazim Jokhio murder: Brother withdraws complaint against MNA Jam Abdul Karim". geo.tv. November 18, 2021. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.