Over two weeks have passed, yet there has been no progress in the investigation into the firing outside the US consulate, which left 11 people dead and nearly 30 injured.
The question now is: Will the inquiry report being conducted into this incident be able to deliver justice to the victims and the injured or their families, and will it lead to strict action against officials of the police and other departments whose negligence resulted in the killings?
It should be noted that footage recorded by cameras installed across the city under the Safe City Project, along with videos shown on social and mainstream media, witness statements and reports, have all been presented to the inquiry committee. Police officers from all the three zones of Karachi have also appeared before the committee and recorded their statements.
It has also been indicated that senior officials found negligent will be reported to the Establishment Division for further action.
The inquiry, being conducted under the supervision of the Counter-Terrorism Department’s Additional IG Zulfiqar Larik, is still ongoing. So far, no conclusions have been reached, nor has any information been shared with the media.
Initially, a few police officers were suspended or removed in connection with the incident. However, no further action has been taken so far, and authorities have yet to identify those responsible for the deaths of the 11 victims.
According to the police FIRs, civilians were hit by bullets fired by unidentified persons. Later, US officials admitted that US marines stationed at the consulate had also fired their weapons during the incident. While acknowledging their involvement, the US side claimed they could not confirm whether their firing caused any deaths or injuries.
The joint investigation team (JIT) formed under Additional IG Zulfiqar Larik faces multiple challenges. The investigation must determine the role of the deceased and injured — whether they were ordinary protesters or involved in rioting, arson and attacks outside the consulate. It must also establish whether the fatalities and injuries were caused by the US marines, police or Rangers.
Another critical aspect concerns firing near the Native Jetty Bridge where two women and five men were injured. A video circulated on social media shows a law-enforcement officer firing directly, yet no arrests or questioning of the officer have been reported.
The JIT must also investigate who set fire to the APC and traffic police posts and address allegations of police negligence across the three districts, as a large crowd reached the consulate without effective barriers. Officers from all three zones have been summoned for questioning, and those found negligent — especially senior officials — may face action from the Establishment Division.
So far, only a few officers have been suspended for negligence. The pressing question remains whether the JIT would be able to deliver justice to the 11 people who lost their lives and the dozens who were injured, or whether this incident, like many others before it in Karachi, would remain another story of lost lives with justice still out of reach.
