The Murder Of A Butterfly

By Editor on 5th June 2025 • ( 0 )

The Murder Of A Butterfly

The poem “Butterfly” by Najma Mansoor is a heart-wrenching tribute to Sana Yousuf, an innocent young girl whose life was tragically cut short. She was seventeen years young girl, living in Islamabad and was murdered by a young boy named Umar Hayat. The brutal nature of her murder has left many questioning the motives behind such heinous acts. Some speculate that the perpetrator was motivated by a desire to marry Sana, which she constantly refused, hence it is a cold-blooded murder which can be called “Murder of Rejection”.

Regardless of the motivations, murder is never justifiable, and the perpetrator must face the full force of the law. It’s reported that the accused has been apprehended, but justice delayed is justice denied. Pakistan’s judicial system requires fundamental reforms to ensure timely justice for victims and their families. When culprits are released due to prolonged legal proceedings, it undermines law and order.

I would like to comment on the fallacious judicial system of Pakistan and make some proposals. At present in Pakistan, there are two main categories of courts: the superior judiciary and the subordinate judiciary. The superior judiciary includes, the Supreme Court, the Federal Shariat Court and the High Court. The subordinate courts are District Courts, Session Courts, Family Courts and Magistrate Courts. Such a series of courts means delay in justice. Great Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib had said:

ہم نے مانا کہ تغافُل نہ کرو گے لیکن

خاک ہو جائیں گے ہم تُم کو خبر ہونے تک

Same is the case with Pakistani courts. The man is a victim in the case, and his grandson attends the court. Yet, there is no decision—no justice. People have lost their faith in our courts. This adage has brought bad name to judiciary:

“Don’t engage a lawyer, engage the judge”.

What a shameful statement. Besides this, some lawyers are branded “Touts”. They act as a contact between the judge and the complainant. Thanks to God, still we have the judges and lawyers of integrity and honesty. They are the salt of earth in the words of Holy Bible.

I propose that in every town and city there should be the panel of five judges of different courts which should hear the cases and majority decision should be immediately implemented. There should be no other court to hear the case which is already decided. This will stop the delay in the process of judgement and also the door of bribery will be closed for ever. One judge can be bribed, influenced, approached and pressurized but five judges cannot be approached. This is the only way to provide speedy justice to the complainants. All other courts should be abolished. One Court: One Judgement. I have opined on the loopholes of our judicial system, so that the cases of murders like Omar Hayat should be decided in one go in one court within three months. Theses courts can be named “Islamic Speedy Courts”.

The poem’s title, “Butterfly,” symbolizes the fragility and beauty of life, much like Sana, who was a vibrant individual whose life was senselessly taken. Her murder highlights issues of ignorance, illiteracy, and religious extremism that plague our society.

To prevent such atrocities, we must promote rational and secular ideas, uproot religious extremism, and protect humanitarian values. Ensuring universal education is key. Furthermore, the judicial process needs to be streamlined to deliver swift justice. A possible solution could be appointing a three-judge panel to decide cases within a stipulated timeframe, say three months, with no scope for further appeals. The Islamabad Police within 2 days have arrested the culprit from Faisalabad which is a great success and admirable efficiency of Islamabad Police. Further investigation will tell about the real cause of this abhorrent crime.

May Sana rest in peace, and may her family find the strength to cope with this irreparable loss. Ameen.