t takes a second to pull the trigger and end a life, but it can take years for the bereaved family to deal with the trauma of losing a loved one. Jazlan Faisal, a 19 year old was recently shot dead in a cooperative housing society on the Super Highway following a quarrel over rash driving. His family may never fully recover from the shock of his murder. As they try to regain normalcy, the traumatised children of the family are too afraid even to go out of the house, lest someone shoot them over a petty dispute.

“Our children have not been able to sleep normally since they lost their brother. They are traumatised and shocked. They refuse to step outside, fearing that they will also be killed like their brother,” says Arif Sabir, Jazlan’s maternal uncle, who is also the complainant in the case. “Our lives now revolve around meeting with the lawyer, police and ministers during the day and helping the children go to sleep at night,” he says.

Over a week has passed since the murder of Jazlan on May 25. Although one of the key suspects has been arrested along with his father, the police have so far failed to arrest three other suspects.

A special police team has been formed to arrest the absconding suspects. It is headed by SSP Investigation Malir and includes the Gadap SP, the Investigations DSP and the investigation officer of the case.

A police party has been dispatched to the Punjab where the suspects have reportedly fled.

Meanwhile, adults in Jazlan’s family have to deal with another problem. In an already difficult time, they have to focus on their children’s trauma and try to give them normal lives.

“Our children have not been able to sleep normally since they lost their brother. They are traumatised and shocked. They refuse to step outside, fearing that they will also be killed like their brother.”

Jazlan belonged to a middle-class family. His father had passed away when he was four years old. He is survived by a younger brother and a married sister. He had been recently admitted to the ICMA and was preparing for his first semester.

Jazlan’s friend Shahmir was also wounded in the shooting. He had taken Jazlan to his cousin’s home in a housing society on the Super Highway for a group study. “Jazlan was excited about preparing for his forthcoming examination,” says Sabir.

Shahmir says they were returning to his cousin’s house for a group study after dinner at a restaurant when an argument erupted between Jazlan and Hasnain who was recklessly one wheeling on a motorbike. “We had no idea that it could end like this,” he says.

Hasnain called his brothers and friends who came and killed Jazlan. The police have arrested Hasnain’s father Faiz after learning a weapon used in the incident was licensed in his name.

“It was my mistake,” Hasnain says. “I phoned my brothers and continued to follow Jazlan’s car. My brothers came and opened fire on him.”

According to the police, the 9mm and .30 bore pistols used in the incident have yet to be seized. Hasnain’s father has a water business in Karachi. One of his uncles is a local leader in a political party.

“Hasnain’s two brothers, Ahsan and Irfan, as well as their friend Inshal, who is the son of a retired army officer, are yet to be arrested,” says the investigation officer. “Police teams have been dispatched to the Punjab for their arrest. The retired army officer has been cooperating with the police.”

The author is a senior journalist covering crime and security affairs in Karachi.