KARACHI: Prof Muhammad Arif Saqi, a senior faculty member of the University of Karachi who was recently assaulted following a road accident near Safoora Chowrangi, has pardoned prime suspect Konain Shah, after he called on him and apologised.

Confirming the out-of-court settlement, Prof Saqi told Dawn that the suspect, who got bail in two cases registered against him, his father and his father-in-law visited his residence, where the matter was resolved “amicably”.

On Sept 8, Prof Saqi was travelling to the university in a car being driven by his nephew. A minor accident had taken place during which the car of Prof Saqi’s nephew was damaged. When Prof Saqi demanded payment for the repair, he and his nephew were assaulted and illegally detained by some armed men. A case was subsequently lodged in this regard and Konain was arrested.

Explaining the reasons behind the settlement, the professor said that being a teacher, he had decided to pursue the case and lodge an FIR because his conscience would have pricked him had he failed to raise his voice against the injustice.

He said he had also felt that if anyone else were to face a similar adverse situation or cruelty at the hands of the suspect in future, he would consider himself partly responsible for it. Therefore, he had raised his voice against the mistreatment of himself and his nephew so that the suspect could “realise their mistake and repent”, he said.

Prof Saqi said he had achieved this objective when Konain, accompanied by his father and father-in-law, visited his residence on Sunday night and expressed regret over his behaviour towards him.

He said he did not consider it advisable to adopt an “attitude of stubbornness”, particularly as a teacher.

The suspect also paid compensation for the repairs to the online taxi driven by his nephew. The vehicle’s owner, he added, had expressed satisfaction with the repair work.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2026