A Privileged Psychopath
Javed Iqbal, born in Lahore to a father who was a businessman grew up studying at Government Islamia College as a student. In 1978 he ventured into the steel recasting business. Residing in a villa, in Shad Bagh Iqbal initiated his acts in December 1999 by admitting to the rape and murder of than 100 young boys aged between 6 and 16. Many of these victims were either runaways or orphaned children living on the streets of Lahore.
Sending a letter to the police and a prominent news editor at a newspaper Iqbal provided accounts of his crimes, which involved strangulation and dismemberment of the boys post sexual assault. He disclosed his method of disposing of their bodies using vats of hydrochloric acid and leaving behind dissolved remains for authorities to discover along with bloodstains and photographs of some victims found within his residence.
In a journal entry Iqbal claimed that his actions stemmed from anger towards what he perceived as an injustice by the Lahore police who had previously arrested him for committing sodomy against a boy in the 1990s. He expressed his goal to make 100 mothers endure suffering and sorrow just as his own mother did when she passed away following his arrest, after the incident.
On December 30 1999 Iqbal surrendered himself at the offices of Daily Jang. Was subsequently taken into custody. He expressed his concerns, about his safety fearing that law enforcement might harm him. In May 2001 Iqbal received a death sentence. However Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider disputed the ruling citing Pakistans commitment to the Human Rights Commission, which prohibits penalties.
On October 9 2001 Iqbal and his accomplice, Sajid Ahmed were discovered lifeless in their jail cells at Kot Lakhpat Jail. Official reports claimed they had both hung themselves using bedsheets.. Autopsies uncovered signs of beatings on both men before their deaths. No one came forward to claim Iqbals body.
The inquiries into their deaths have yielded results and sparked various speculations. Some speculate they were silenced for exposing police misconduct while others suggest they fell victim to revenge from families seeking justice for their children. The tragic and brutal demise of these individuals has cast a shadow, over Pakistans troubled past.
In summary the saga of Javed Iqbal sheds light on the dynamics of socio challenges police malpractice and violent offenses in Pakistan. Even though Iqbal committed crimes his story also highlights the importance of having social support systems in place to tackle the underlying reasons, behind violence, against marginalized groups. By bringing attention to incidents we can strive towards building an more inclusive society where every child is cherished and safeguarded.
