Lahore High Court (LHC) reserved its verdict in the Khadija Siddiqi case – the woman who has come to be known as the one who was stabbed 23 times in broad daylight.
This is Shah Hussain who is blackmailing khadija w her personal life pictures.Lets stand with khadija n get her JUSTICE #KhadijaTheFighter pic.twitter.com/AtxTMTeCrG
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) July 13, 2017
The case was as clear as it could be. The courts knew exactly who the culprit was and all they had to do was announce his punishment
But the twist in the situation was that he was the son of an influential lawyer and his father was doing everything in his capacity to save his son.
Last year, a magistrate sentenced Shah Hussain to 7 years in prison but that decision was challenged in the sessions court. The court lowered his sentence to 5 years before the decision was again challenged in the LHC
Did it. Justice serve #KhadijaSiddiqi #khadijathefighter pic.twitter.com/T8oXaj8djM
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) July 29, 2017
LHC was supposed to announce its decision regarding the case and one of Khadija’s lawyers, Hassaan Niazi, was actively updating followers on Twitter regarding the developments in the case
Khadija Saddiqi Case’s final arguments have started in lahore high court – the judgement will be reserved today. Let’s hope, that the hopes of millions are not shattered today. May justice prevail #KhadijaTheFighter
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) June 4, 2018
Important: Decision reserved in the Khadija case in Lahore High court. Decision to be announced around 4pm. Earlier in session court the sentence was reduced to 5years. Maximum sentence is 10 years #KhadijaTheFighter pic.twitter.com/BIAjXAnFPq
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) June 4, 2018
However, much to their disappointment, the decision of the court went in favor of the attacker
Sardar Naeem Ahmed was the judge in the case and he is yet to provide a detailed outline of the judgment, which will then highlight why this decision was taken. Till now there is no idea on when the detailed judgment would be made available, as the judge has only announced the acquittal and not when it will be available. The case is of a sensitive nature, the family in question is an influential family – this means that it is very likely for them to be able to influence the decision. With a clear cut case like this, judgments of acquittal come as a shock and are a sign of protecting those in power – a problem plaguing each part of this country.
We got in touch with Hassaan Niazi and inquired about the short order:
According to him, there can be two reasons why the court has acquitted Shah Hussain.
Number 1: The medical record provided was false – the medical officer lied and said her wounds do not exist.
Number 2: Khadija’s story was false.
The court can also use both. However this is just a speculation and only after the judgement is released will one be able to find out the actual reason for the acquittal.
Many have taken to Twitter to express their disbelief
She was stabbed 23 times. Today, her assailant – the son of a loud and aggressive lawyer – was set free by the Lahore High Court https://t.co/NcQbzAerO0
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) June 4, 2018
When this horrific crime occurred Khadija was apprehensive that justice was not going to be served, she was stabbed over 20 times and today her attacker has been acquitted!! Justice has failed her and we need to speak up ! #JusticeforKhadija https://t.co/IVLdVsSPmQ
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) June 4, 2018
This particular decision shows that not only the influential get away with their crimes and the law offers them protection but also that women in this country have no safe haven
Many ask women for proofs and to resolve their issues in the court of law, but this is how the law betrays them. The system is constantly letting down those who are in weaker positions because it is easier to exploit them and ignore their situation because “might is right”.
Pakistan isn’t a “failed state” because Swara Bhaskar says it is. Pakistan is firmly refusing to be anything else when it continuously lets down its women. And the legal system, the government, and society – all are to blame. #WeAreWithKhadija
— Nuzhat S. Siddiqi (@guldaar) June 4, 2018
"Why don't women go to the courts?"
Bhaarr mein jaayen iss mulk ki adaalaten aur un mein baithay bikau judge. Inko to gaali dena bhi uss gaali ki tawheen hogi. https://t.co/n740Nk0Aje— CeciN'estPasUneTweet (@monadarling) June 4, 2018
Justice is a fallacy if you're a woman in Pakistan. Khadija Siddiqi stabbed 23 times by her class fellow Shah Husain, survived, pursued her case amid threats, two years on, the criminal is acquitted. There is NO #JusticeForKhadija. pic.twitter.com/uERshLVfZW
— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) June 4, 2018
The state made a mockery of justice and women in #pakistan. Go to the court? Give them proof? Visual-physical hardcore evidence? YOU HAD IT ALL AND YOU STILL LET THE ASSHOLE THE MONSTER WALK! YOU, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR #khadija ‘S wounds. You are worse than #ShahHussain https://t.co/Rbiyipprr3
— Aadil Aamir (@TheAadilAamir) June 4, 2018
Is Pakistan a failing state? A country whose institutions cannot resolve a crystal clear case needs to reevaluate its progress and the ideals it holds on to
A man stabbed a girl in broad day light, she barely survived, he was found guilty, convicted and there was hope. And now this? How can anybody trust this system? This is so so heart breaking. Huge huge injustice.
— Aima. (@AYJamal_) June 4, 2018
How many Shah Hussains and Shahrukh Jatois will it take for the powerless to get justice in this country? Ashamed. #KhadijaSiddiqi
— Roha Nadeem (@RohaNadym) June 4, 2018
The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar is known for the suo moto notices and his eagerness to fix the broken system
However, one can only fix a broken system if your own house is in order. The institution of judiciary is failing people due to its nonchalance regarding the billions of pending cases or the injustices people face at the hands of the law. The cases of Khadjia Siddiqi, Asma Nawab and Zulfiqar Ali are a huge question mark on the efficiency of the justice system.
Perhaps a snap visit to the courts is due? Once all hospitals and transport projects are taken care of, that is
— Zarrar Khuhro (@ZarrarKhuhro) June 4, 2018
#JusticeForKhadija just want to say Shame.. Shame on U CJP.. visit more hospitals, call More Politicians, call doctors and blunt with them so that every news channel can Say.. Wah Wah Saqib Nisar.. but justice is none of your business.. We are Sorry Khadija
— Vital Smile?? (@BeVitalSmile) June 4, 2018
Appeal to CJP Saqib Nisar for #JusticeForKhadija. What kind of judiciary is this which only gives justice when media & civil society pressure is there? You are summoning heads of all depts demanding reforms but what about setting your own house in order https://t.co/8NtJUdq8FR
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) June 4, 2018
Pakistanis are using hashtag #WeAreWithKhadija to alert the authorities and push for action
We are with you, till the end. Stay strong Khadija #Justiceforkhadija
— Sohaib Arshid (@arshid_sohaib) June 4, 2018
Dot stabbed 23 times Had the courage to take asshole #ShahHussain to court, attend court hearings, patiently listen to the defendant malign her character She had hope. He stabbed her Her wounds would heal You failed #KhadijaSiddiqi and that can’t be redeemed. #KhadijaTheFighter
— Aadil Aamir (@TheAadilAamir) June 4, 2018
this trial should’ve been broadcasted on national TV for the nation to see how khadija’s stabber, after stabbing her in broad daylight got to walk free! #Justiceforkhadija #WeAreWithKhadija
— Fariha (@Fay_Alif) June 4, 2018
When asked what this decision means for Khadjia and her team, here is what they had to say:
“We are shattered and disappointed in the judiciary. They are the hope of the people and they have let us down. The mafia won against the judicial system. Khadija fought with great resilience. A lot of strong lawyers appeared against her – members of the bar association, and elected president of the bar association. Remember that in our case we were threatened to stay away. It is an unreasonable decision and will surely be challenged in the Supreme Court. We have high expectations from the Supreme Court. A bad precedent is being set with this judgement.”
The legal team of Khadija Siddiqi has decided to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court
This is going to be their last resort. All eyes will now be on the SC to get this woman the justice that she deserves.
Khadija right now. All pumped to fight the next battle. Supreme Court we are coming.
Shah hussain the butcher no mafia can stop us. This is mafia vs the weak vulnerable people of the society. Decision was shocking today #WeareWithKhadija #JusticeForKhadija pic.twitter.com/XTGSZpl0F9
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) June 4, 2018
Please become a part of this movement to protest this judgment and push for justice in Khadija’s case. The current judegment is a death threat for Khadija, whose security arrangment has also been taken away post the judgement.
This Girl In Lahore Was Stabbed 23 Times In Broad Daylight A Year Ago, She’s Still Waiting For Justice