Master Shoukat’s Video Denial?

‘Master Shaukat’ who was accused by Maria Sadaqat, in her statement in the Pagodi Police station, near Murree, (Tehsil, District Pindi) on 29th May, of beating and burning her, has also issued his own video. This video is also available on Facebook and other social media outlets. Someone, a supporter of Master Shaukat, referred this video to us with the taunt that if you believe ‘girl’s video’ then you must also watch this ‘pious man’s video’. We are therefore making available on this website, without any editing or change. Apart from Maria’s brief statement in great pain in which she accuses Master Shaukat (not clearly audible) and Mian Arshad, there is another longer video, recorded on a handheld device by someone, at the Police Station. We will also upload that video. So a total of three videos are now in circulation on social media: Two of Maria and one of Master Shaukat. All three are must to be watched by all aware responsible and God fearing citizens of Pakistan and the whole world. Ultimately citizen’s consciousness will determine the fate of any system of justice.

It is important to mention and to note, as you watch these videos that Maria – who died on Wed 1st June 2016, at Pakistani Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, out of her 85% burns – is laboring to speak under great pain, words are difficult to utter, her skin, her arms, face, neck, every part of her body, all muscles are burnt and even a millimeter of movement is a herculean act. Master Shaukat’s video starts with him, doing an ablution (wuzu) in his rather posh bathroom; this goes on for more than 60 seconds; he then holds on a Quran in his hands and testifies that he has been wrongly accused; he has nothing to do with the case, and Maria’s father had some financial problems with him so Maria was instructed to name him before dying. How credible is that? Let educated people of Pakistan be a jury on this question.

But Jury of Pakistani people must keep in mind few facts: Maria’s statement captured on video is a running happening event, happening in what you call in media language ‘real time’; Master Shaukat’s video is a planned act; has many retakes, has been made professionally and it appears that it has been made under legal advice to create excuses and evidences. Police help cannot be ruled out as well. You will find more analysis in my blog.