Ittiqa Moin : “Teen Victim of Muggers”

KARACHI:

A tragic incident unfolded in Gulshan-e-Iqbal as a young man fell victim to trigger-happy muggers during a motorcycle snatching attempt. The victim, identified as 27-year-old Ittiqa Moin, was laid to rest on Sunday amidst a somber atmosphere.

According to the FIR filed by Usman Moin, brother of the deceased, the harrowing incident took place as Ittiqa was returning from a routine bakery run. Two armed assailants on a motorcycle intercepted him, forcibly snatching his motorcycle, mobile phone, and cash. The situation escalated when Ittiqa resisted the muggers, leading them to open fire. Tragically, a bullet pierced through Ittiqa’s right armpit, causing fatal injuries.

Sharing his grief with the media, the victim’s elder brother, Ibad Moeen, disclosed that the heart-wrenching episode occurred in close proximity to their residence. He recounted how one of the callous muggers callously attempted to search Ittiqa’s body post-shooting. Ittiqa, a university gold medallist and MBA student, was a young man brimming with potential and a bright future ahead.

Expressing his dismay over the economic landscape of the country, Ibad questioned the fate of individuals like Ittiqa, who aspire to contribute to the nation’s progress but are met with untimely and tragic ends. Ittiqa, who tied the knot in January, leaves behind a grieving widow and family.

Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Ali Khurshidi, paid his respects at Ittiqa’s funeral prayer and extended condolences to the bereaved family. Members of the Haq-Parast party from the National Assembly and Sindh Assembly also attended the funeral to show solidarity.

In a candid interaction with the media, MQM-P MPA Khurshidi attributed the spate of deaths in snatching incidents to a targeted killing of the city’s talented youth. He lambasted the Sindh police for their alleged complicity in the rising crime rates, asserting that individuals across professions are no longer safe from criminals.

Khurshidi raised concerns about police officers seeking lucrative postings in Karachi through bribes, emphasizing their disregard for maintaining law and order. He underscored the urgent need for addressing the prevailing situation in Karachi to assuage the concerns of citizens weary of bearing the burden of their children’s coffins.

Adding to the chorus of voices seeking justice for Ittiqa, MQM Pakistan Central Committee Member Syed Mustafa Kamal conveyed his condolences to the grieving parents. He decried the oppression faced by urban dwellers under the quota system in Sindh, alleging that talented youths are falling victim to senseless violence under the guise of robbery.

JI denounces Ittiqa’s murder

Munim Zafar Khan, the newly elected Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, joined the funeral prayer of Hafiz Ittiqa Moeen at Jamia Sattaria in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Prior to the funeral, Munim visited Ittiqa’s family to offer his condolences and express solidarity.

In a scathing critique, Munim denounced the Sindh government, police department, and law enforcement agencies for their failure to safeguard the lives and property of citizens. He highlighted the rampant activities of criminals and armed robbers in the city, calling for immediate action to apprehend Ittiqa’s killers and enhance public safety measures.

Town Chairman Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Dr Fawad, UC Chairman Muzaffar Iqbal, and area Nazim Nauman Patel were present during the meeting, showing a united front in demanding justice for Ittiqa Moeen.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2024.