Mukhtar Bukhari Advocate, a great martyr

First anniversary of martyrdom of Mukhtar Abbas Bukhari son of Nazar Hasnain Bukhari, 58, is being observed today.
He was martyred in Karachi on July 23, 2011. His targeted murder was a punishment for his legal services because he defended the oppressed Shia Muslims who were denied justice. He was targeted after he left his office near City Courts premises for his house. He left behind a widow and 5 children.

Mukhtar Abbas Bukhari was providing free legal aid to deserving poor people. He was defending those innocent Shia youths who were implicated in cases of theft and arson on the Ashura. The ludicrous charges were framed against the victim community despite the fact that around 72 Shia Muslims and Sunni Azadars were martyred in a blast.

He was defending those youths who were implicated in targeted killings. He was the lawyer for another innocent Shia youth Muntazir Imam. Muntazir Imam was implicated in the cases when he was not in the country.

Mr. Bukhari made it clear to SSP CID Chaudhry Aslam that he was on the wrong side of justice. His relations with SSP, CID, Chaudhry Aslam turned sour. He was on the hit list of banned terrorist outfits such as Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

He was backbone of legal defence of innocent Shias who were implicated in false cases but he was not provided enough security. He was an institution in himself. He alone stood like an iron wall against the enemies of justice. He left no wealth behind that proved that he had sacrificed everything for the cause of justice.

Shia Muslims miss him. His family misses him. Recently, the family had hosted a condolence meeting to mark the martyrdom anniversary at Islamic Research Centre. The tributes paid to him by the speakers reflected the feelings of all Pakistani Shias.

Askari Raza who was Mukhtar Bukhari’s close aide was also martyred. Now, another lawyer continues his mission to get justice for the innocent Shia youths. But, great martyr Mukhtar Bukhari will be remembered forever.