🇵🇰 Letters from Death Row: Life after Prison in Pakistan | Witness
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ต.ค. 2019
- Mazhar Farooq remembers being freed after two decades behind bars.
"After living 21 years in an eight-by-eight foot cell the world seems very strange. I could not even walk properly and would bump into things. Even a caged lion can't walk when set free," says the former inmate from Kasur, Pakistan.
He was just 22 years old and a university student when he was imprisoned. His father had been murdered and he was in line to inherit his family's land. But before he could, he was implicated in the murder of a local man. There was no supporting evidence; he says his name replaced a suspect's and the medical report was false. The murder weapon was also not his.
"In Pakistan, whoever is politically strong can exert influence. In jails, in court, everywhere. An ordinary person can't do anything," he says.
He was given the death penalty, and spent his adulthood on one of the largest death rows in the world, among an estimated 5,000 prisoners in line to be executed in Pakistan.
Farooq describes living in a small cell, crammed with up to 15 people. All activities - eating, praying, going to the toilet - happened inside the cell. The inmates were allowed outside for one hour each day, still handcuffed. They were beaten and tortured. And all the while, their sentences loomed.
"Two days before an execution, they isolate the condemned man. He meets other prisoners and asks them to pray for him. It's terrifying. You realise we are all passengers on the same train. Some are boarding and others departing. When you can see your own death, only a few can actually walk up to the gallows."
As years passed he wrote letters to his family and leaned into his faith to find patience and strength. The Lahore High Court rejected his appeal after 11 years on death row, and he appealed to the Supreme Court. He would eventually send a letter to the chief justice in a last bid for appeal, which was finally granted.
But gaining his freedom was just the first step. Now Farooq must build a new life for himself, find a new career, and reckon with a past that still guides his every step.
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I hope he gets some compensation from Pakistani govt and wish him a happy married life. This guy sounded like a genuinely nice guy.
As salaamu aleikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu
in sha Allah i hope soo to.
Wish him all the best for the future with his new bride, Allah s.w.t bless them both with a happy long marriage and children ameen.
Tea is fantastic
mushkil hy
huzaifa naveed even 370 is fantastic
The justice system in Pakistan is so corrupt....
With teary eyes i m writing this comment... I m so happy to see u happy once again in life...love from india... 🇮🇳 ...
Am an Indian too
@@gonegirl1374 you look alike my friend wow
@@prantikroy4982 hehe
This shows we are humen💖
Respect to you all from sohail uk one love !
His mom’s tears on his marriage melted my heart 💖
No way, This Video Is making crying hard
yeah, the tears of joy...
❤
❤
@mazharfarooqmazharfarooq8419 how it is possible that you forget your bad times? Totally injustice with you 😢
The fact that he send more than 20 years in jail and still didn’t loose hope in Allah that’s so beautiful to hear 20 years is a long long time god bless and his family ❤️🙏🏻
Please use capital G for God.
@@HeyGuysHave121 didn't know this was English class
@@adamramsey6801 Putting a lower case G doesn't mean i don't respect god but you should play less of a english teacher role on youtube and worry about the mistakes and the regrets you made in life
adam ramsey broo who are you Lmaoo you wanna talk about ego i can show you my ego here’s my Instagram @allaabbassyed feel free to text me and i can tell you about a thing or to about ego and inner peace
If Allah was there or infact any god for that matter, he wouldn't have suffered for 21 years. There is no God.
Heart wrenching!
"Justice delayed is Justice Denied"
man with strong nerves and a true example of not being hopeless.. salutes
This guy genuinely seems like a nice guy, like his face says it all. He’s suffered so much and I hope he gets the justice he deserves
i hope the judge gets hanged publicly
@@mangomanlassi7779 initially it wasn't the judge's fault
Being a Pakistani I can say that the justice system here is like dog eat dog. Whoever has more political power can do anything
My India is best...sorry I understand your feelings but here life is much better than Pakistan
I'm Indian 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 n proudly I can say India is best 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 Indian judiciary system is good upto some extent.
@@govindanyegappan3913 BRo Pakistani Life is much better than yours 😇proud to be PakistaNi ...
@@muhammadgauharayyoub5090 brother here life is amazing compare to Pakistan n each person feels that his or her country is good 😊👍👍
@@govindanyegappan3913 Bro Every one thought like that but in my opinion Pakistani life is best.. Or rahi bat bhai Qanoon ki Jis tarhan Pakistan ka ha us tarhan hI India Ka hai bus political parties kI waJa sY AJ hUm boht peeChy reH gY juNg ki Dushmani ki nafrat main ..
But we need to change this system
It is really brave for Al Jazeera to report this. Kudos to you 👍
Wtf??
HAHAHA, BUT ALJAZEERA WOULD NOT SHOW THE CONDITION AND SHITI LAWS IN QATAR...
What's the difficulty in it?
What's brave in it???
21 years in jail in death row and that too for a false case.
The system has already killed him. 21 years is a long time.
his future is destroyed
The opponents were extremely powerful
21 saal to maine abhi tk puri jiye bhi nahi hai iss duniya mai 😭😔😔
Not System His Openents Do This Because they are powerful and also system is guilty too..
Very very long time. He cannot be repaid with anything
Justice delayed is justice denied
Tears in my eyes after seeing his mother so happy in his wedding
me too
The way he composes his words, its like a true gentleman.... Such a tragedy. He is a genuine guy with a tragic story. What a Shame
tears in my eyes at the wedding scene after watching her mother !
She had the most lovely smile in the world
You mean "His mother" ...(u wrote her mother)
@@DCLXVI_1790 typed not wrote.
keypad istamal kia hae
qaalm nahi
😀😀😀
Same here. His mother was so happy and emotional.
Same here. Brought tears in my eyes.
A mother's love can never be matched, repaid.
Never
£1,000,000 is sufficient to repay
Pakistan government should pay him millions of rupees to start his life all over again for spending 21 years in prison Subhanallah may Allah guide people in Pakistan
But unfortunately government have not able to gave him that beautiful past days which is ruined by the injustice system of Pakistan 😢
He lost 21 prime years of his life after having his father murdered is probably the ultimate injustice one can imagine. Pakistani government is responsible and should compensate him for not providing him fair trial and prompt justice at the very least, which is the right of every human being.
This man is so mentally strong. I can only imagine what he has been through. God bless him and his family.
I don't know why it showed up in my recommendations ... But yeah, now I know, how similar our stories are on both sides. Respect to the man of nerves.
mantesh sharma same here its sad😭
I Started crying after seeing this. All the very best. Love and Hugs from India
I can't really think to spend a single day in my room, how this brave gentleman spent 21 years behind the bars. Life is really tough.
Extremely sad :(
He is MA political science, such a nice person, he deserve to be in some government institution now.
This is why Pakistan is still undeveloped nation because the literate andgood persons are serving life time in jail
@@arnnabmitra2809 we also know the reason of your country's under-development. Keep your words with you
@@shahfibre yeah we are developing in various ways not like Pakistan going to different countries and begging for fund
@@programmingskillset3173
Agreed that both countries suffer from many problems are same.
But there is a difference in approach of both countries to solve the problems.
In India if the problems take the shape of national issue or even state level issue, there will be definitely converted efforts and the system reacts in a overwhelming speed.
Being a Pakistani I can understand that you will not be willing to agree with these facts INTENTIONALLY.
Because more India improves, more the Sheer IDEA of Jinnah's Pakistan will be under negative scrutiny.
In Endia.. prisoners get killed by inmates way before the state hang them. Very recent an Pakistani prisoner in Endian was stoned to death in the prison... and his death body was returned to Pakistan.
We all know the abuse of human rights in Endia are worst than un Pakistan.
Saying India is better than Pakistan is a biggest joke of the year. Hahaha
As afghan watching this brother story made me cry 😭😭
@The Eddie
please come why u r getting late... invade us and take ur land back & make Akhand bharat... take it if u can
@@bestoddlysatisfyingshorts8729 no one takes the garbage
@@bestoddlysatisfyingshorts8729 first nuke us we r waiting for past three months
@The Eddie LoL no logical Indian wants to invade pakistan. It's a mess
Thanks Indians for creating Bangladesh
So glad that he had something to hold onto while he was in Jail...the holy book of Quran..
Must've given him enough reason to survive...
This is so heartbreaking.
Love from India...I hope he lives a happy life now. 💛
Whatever religion one belongs to , their holy book is a source of comfort
For a hindu prisoner veda is as comforting as Quran for a Muslim
@@afzaalahmed3547 We, atheists, don't have such a luxury.
Richa Sharma thnk u indians❤️❤️
Pk ya Allah,bless pk GD Islamic heads to change the system.
@@afzaalahmed3547 veda are educationary books ,not about our faith ,holy books are Ramayana & bhagwadgeeta
Such a genuine person...Allah ap ko hmesha khush rakhy..ameen😊♥️
Aameen
Aysha Mustafa gimme yo sc 😂
@@uzi6497 aye
I was depressed.but knowing your story,l think life had been kind to me.
Me too
Truely..
subhranshu ganguly never get depressed,whenever you feel depressed think about your health and freedom first.think for second that you can see and someone cannot see ,think for a second that you can hear and on your feet .than think about a deaf and disabled person with wheelchair.always look for peoples,whom are less fortunate than you are and appreciate your life and your creator.that poor man was struggling all those years to get freedom.we humans are ungrateful,we always want more and more .our prophet mohammed peace be upon him said that if a man got mountain of gold .he will desire for a another one .its proverbs if you want happy and peaceful life reduced your desires.accept my apology if anything in my message hurts your feelings
subhranshu ganguly how are you doing now ?
May Gods mercy be with you
@@khaankhaan2714 Laakh rupaye ki baat bhaijaan... love from Bangalore (India)
This man is living legend, cannot stop tears 😭
He never gave up on hope and positivity in Allah. May Allah give him peace and happiness in life.
With difficulty, verily there is ease.
These people they pray 5 times a day but yet it matters nothing. For 21 years they were content to see him rot away. They have no sense of morality and ethics. It's all just a charade to show 'look at me' - I'm praying therefore i'm 'good' and 'clean' it's just all for show. The system is rotten because they are rotten.
This is resilience of the Pakistani spirit. Those who falsely accused him will have to answer to our creator one day.
@kim jaaju inshallah
Komal Singh
Indeed, they will........Little they care , thusly, shaytan over powered the commands of Allah
When our Habib, our beloved Prophet Mohamed ( PBUH) sent Sayidinaa Ali ( RA) to convey the message of Islam, he warned him that to guide one person to Islam is better than to obtain his/her wealth, that is to say to never inclined toward worldly life
Pakistan was once the perfect land for education & Islamic bedrocks, even western worlds couldn’t compete the academic education exists in Pakistan, today, alas, they sold their soul over few $ unjustly graved their girls, including Dr Affia Sidique, crooked, purported Muslim Pakistanis sold to the worst enemy......She might suffered beyond but JANATUL FARDOWZA WILL BE WHERE SHE WILL REST ETERNALLY, What would the perpetrators do when their residence are going to be a he’ll-fires?
Singh Sahab Ap Ka DESH Jo Sawarg Hai Wo Pura Vishv janta Hai
Amen to that.!
I really thankful to Al Jazeera to showing us this better reality of our system. I am sorry Mazhar Farooq from you and your family that in that difficult time no one was there to help you. We are accepting you as our brother Pakistani citizen. May Allah bless you with happiness.
All of those responsible for this must be held responsible. if not here then they are answerable to Allah anyway
Is the wife being forced? She should only marry if she wants to
What if Allah not answer ...............
@@privateengineer6780This life is a test. Hence forward towards. If someone does something bad then they are to blame not Allah. For each act you do you must hold.
It is only in the hereafter that he/she will be hold accountable.
@Zohaib BhuttoNo we have not! This life is a test. Hence forward towards. If someone does something bad then they are to blame not Allah. For each act you do you must hold.
Shut up u stupid.
Those who forged the documents must be held liable.
These people they pray 5 times a day but yet it matters nothing. For 21 years they were content to see him rot away. They have no sense of morality and ethics. It's all just a charade to show 'look at me' - I'm praying therefore i'm 'good' and 'clean' it's just all for show. The system is rotten because they are rotten.
Hope they find em, and give THEM the death sentence 4 times over
@@ramatgan1 Throw away your hate somewhere else. seriously. Get a Life.
love frm INDIA 👍❤
aapki aane wali zindagi me khushiya hi khushiya ho.
Kashmir banega pakistan
I wish him a happy married life.
He must receive the compensation soon.
What a story😭😭😭. He looks a kind, humble man, genuine person because he has spent most of his time away from this dirty, dishonest world
Junaid Khan
Exactly ♥️
Indeed brother Allah is the best of planners.
I read all comments. But you made the best comment. I mean he is genuine bcz he stayed away for so long from this dirty world. Wow man hats off to you
No human deserve this. Wish him all the happiness for rest of his life, from India
First video on TH-cam that I watched from start to finish. What a story and what resilience!
Waao, wonderful video... Congrats Raja Mazhar sahib, Love from Canada
i wish whosoever turned his life into death by forged documents ,,,ruined his life. may not live his/ her life peacefully…best wishes to the strong guy..love from India.
I am so happy he is out of prison now and happily married
many prayers for him 🙏
Especially un ki Mother hi khushi daikhny wali thi.
Mavaan Thandian Chawaan.
I still have tears in my eyes. Very heartbreaking story. And I am happy that someone has accepted him. He has been through a lot. 😢 he deserved to be loved. God bless you.
💗
When i saw his mother talking so happily about his son getting married i literally cried thinking about what a mother had suffered during those precious 21 years which had been taken away from her and her son's life.
This is what Systematic failure looks like.
Salute to this guy, i can't even go thru 2% of what he's gone thru, he is a very strong man mentally and physically, God bless him ✌✌🙏🙏
Sadness can’t be expressed in words.
It is so emotional...
Allah apko Khush rakkhe!!!!
He and his mother have been through so much, god bless him.....Thank you god for a good life🙏
Really a heart touching story of Mazhar's life, but I must say that he is a son of a very strong mother and the lesson from this is that one should not stop praying as it will be listened one day.
My god...I can't even begin to imagine what life would have been for this unfortunate man...day after day for 21 years with death hanging over him. I wish him all the best and I hope he gets compensation!
rahul kapur there’s no compensation for this, nothing can full fill his loss
This was emotional to watch ,I wish him a happy married life I can relate to what happened to him, Blessings.
Mazhar is one of my best friend and i know how he spent his 20 years of life in Lockup...
Hope he is doing well, love from India.
@@ashwinraghunath4453 yes he is fine and turn back to new life...
Aj kal sardar sahib ki kia masrufiat hain?
@@tallal141 Sardar Mazhar is fine and Allah blessed him with a cute daughter...
This is heartbreaking to watch. May Allah swt bless him and his family Ameen
My heart broke when he was having that shy face sitting beside her fiance. 💔❤️
god bless him. what a person after so much injustice he is still a gentlemen.
Happy to see him happy...
Love from India 🇮🇳
❤
So sad that somebody is punished for somethinh they haven't done. May Allah grant him alot of happiness.
❤
The government should give him anything he wants. His whole young life of 21 years was wasted for nothing. This corrupt government should pay for everything he lost and anything he wants for the future.
@@cooldude-co9kg
I am not indian bro, and I know india, Pakistan and Bangladesh is also corrupted government.
Yeah people abuse modi this is a sign positive democracybut how u defendind corrupt gov isnt!
@@revelation333 but now pakistan government is not very corrupt
Very sad, this should not happen with anyone.
"Delay in justice leads to the destruction of beautiful life."
This video really shows the strength of family support and will power. Live happily for ever Mazhar Bhai. Love n Respect from INDIA 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
❤
Who will give his 30 years back.
I can't even think 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Danial Saleem
Very true
this is the sad reality of our country.
Same in Bangladesh too
bhai India me bhi yahi haal hai judiciary system bhot zada kamzor hai yaha bhi.
Unfortunately because our justice systems were destroyed when we became the British colonies. It’s really sad to see how such a nice guy was framed and punished by this justice system for the crimes that he didn’t commit
I am in tears,you hav been through much and yet able to recall all of this,hats off to your bravery
"Just delayed is justice denied"
May God grant this guy peace! Touched the soul how this chap still believes in being a good and gentle dude
My dreams of Pakistan isnt to have a great economy or super powerful country but only 2 things. Justice and education.
Pakistan should be a country run on morals. That's why I voted for Imran Khan, bc Allah never let's a country prosper until it has justice
@Ross Shapov because theres no discrimination. Allah created all men equal then who are us, humans telling other who they are or where they belong
1. Laws need to be equal, for rich and the poor
2. No discrimination of any kind.
Pakistan has always had a problem with the first one and in 2010 number 2 almost got us like in 1971, but thank God Pakistan is more United than ever but now it's time to deal with the rich
Ya I too I just need quality education religious & for spending normal life ...
Boss if you want justice and education then only option is Islamic laws but now to late for Pakistan wait for end may Allah forgive us All as Nation or as Ummah
@Zohaib Bhutto I agree, but we didnt have a choice, did we?. Pakistan was on the brink of bankruptcy thx to old govs. A lot of couropt people have joined PTI in the last 3 years, that's why, things arent great. But I am confident that Pakistan will stsrt prospering after next 2 years.
@usman whyen under imran khan judge's and government organizations can work freely without fear of death. We all know how many people have been killed by PPP, and PMLN but there was no justice until now
Were those officials who framed him originally ever found and punished? Absolutely despicable. He deserves a huge amount in compensation as do many, many others who have faced the same fate.
❤
I am so glad I got this on my recommendation. No matter where we come from all a person needs to be is true from inside his heart. If he is nothing can break him!
Important was as well his mum saw him while she is still alive and was happy to see him getting married.
God knows how many other guys will be like him in my Country...!!
Hamari police begherat aur hram khor hy Jo jhota case bnati hy Allah unko b skoon nhi dyga waqt guzar jata jesa b ho lekn Allah ki zat apna insaf zaroor krti hy
Thanks for bringing such humanly touching topic.
I feel sad for this poor guy. He will never get back what he lost. Best of luck to him and I really hope the culprits who ruined his life face the consequences inshallah
Clearly half of them in prison are on death row for no reason that is messed.
My heart is in extreme pain I can't believe this has happened omg. I'm so happy he has recovered
Dear Mazhar, it is beyond comprehension how much pain you have endured. You are such a genuine person. I have so much respect in my heart for you. I pray to God for your happy and peaceful life in years to come. And yes, your mother is a superhero. Best wishes to you and your wife for a happy married life. Love and best wishes. NR, Indian Institute Of Technology Bombay, India
Tears! Just 18 years old! Can't imagine 2 yrs old in a cell. 😩😩😩
inna ma'al usri yusra. Indeed he is a courageous and patient man.
or aj ki youth kahna banne tak ka wait nahi kar sakti
Excellent Job AJ for such an amazing documentary. Our pathetic local mainstream media is busy highlighting non-issues.
😢😢😢so sad
Bro u r very genuine, Allah will give every thing u wish
Dear Mazhar, when you read this, and I know you will, just know that we pray for you. Your smile, at your wedding ceremony, was a trillion-dollars smile. We can't change whats gone, but face the life ahead with chin up. Never explain your situation that why you have not been able to do anything; just go ahead and do it. Sky is the limit. And F*** this system up. Fight these rascals, and get compensation. Our prayers are with you.
With love, my friend.
Ajay i loved your movies man specially Ishq. what are you up to these days?
@@Zainphotography making ads of paan masala
@@parikshitverma2897 🤣🤣😂😂🤣👌👌💪💪😅
@@parikshitverma2897 right...
@@parikshitverma2897 😝
God bless his family.
My Eyes Are Full Of Tears, Allah Bless Our Brother Mazhar With More Blessings And I Pray To Allah That All Brothers And Sisters Who Are Innocent Get Released Very Soon, Ameen
Brother.. rona agaya aap ki story sun kr. Jo waqt aap ne guzara usay hum imagine bhi nai kr skte.. ALLAH khush rakhe..
God bless him and his family..
May God bless him all the happiness he n his fMily needs...
Hats off to his braveness n way of living life every day....
He has nothing bt still so happy n has no complaints.... Bt wht we do .. we hv evrythn bt still we complaint everytime.
all the best brother - i have tears in my eyes and best wishes from my heart
What a beautiful couple. Allah bless them and give them all the happiness in life
Such positive attitude..
May Allah bless you
Allah kare har aulaad ko aisi maa mile jo mazhar ko mili.
His wife is so beautiful. Happy for him!
Allah hum sab ki hifazat farmaye
Aameen
Grow up kid
Allah will not do anything
You have to fight yourself
I can relate to his story, I had a similar situation I wish I could meet him so I can hug him. So sad so sad 😞 Allah only brings on hardships on those particular people who he loves the most. Don’t think u have a good life and Allah is happy with u he may not be. I have learnt in life that Allah swt will test you on wealth, health, death loss of loved one, most of all patience and prayer. My dad was murdered too, the guy who started it and was the mastermind of it died last year in September at only 31 so justice is given but by the supreme himself Allah swt. I and family endured extreme hardship, losing a house 🏠 loss of wealth etc etc but what one thing I chose was not to ever give up alhamdulliah Iv graduated after a very long time and have MasAllah a happy life now. Point is don’t ever think that bad things won’t happen to you they could do so be prepared for your test.
When the justice system fails you and eventually corrects its course after 21 years, it is an indication of a poor functioning civilian government. How can they fix the justice system if the government body that is meant to uphold the rule of law and abide by the penal code is dismissing 80% of the death row cases? Clearly the issue also lies with those enforcing the law (security/defence/police).
Vikesh Raikundalia true say
Because everything is a useless system and not human, this world is the reason why Area51 is a myth. Who in the universe would want to come to a corrupt ridden "civilization".
Really sorry for him and the time he lost in prison, Love from India🙂
i am happy for him may Allah bless him and fulfil his wishes. respect for him love from ABUDHABI , U.A.E ❤🇦🇪
❤03125139000
Very emotional story 😭
Respect for lion heart maa 🤲
Allah pak Maa g apni aulad ki bhot bhot khushiya naseeb karay. Ameen
Very emotional and heartbreaking,💔 May Allah bless him and his family with happiness.🌷
❤
Im so happy to see you again happy
I salut this mother Allah will give you so many happines
His is a very strong person. After watching this I see my problems like a peanuts. I felt happy watching him smiling. We can’t imagine how he spent 21 years in prison but still he fought to get justice. Brave man indeed.
5:56 Do not leave your daily prayers and recitation of the Quran this is something that will make you immortal. This is well tested and something that has worked in the greatest trials of the universe.....
🖕
@@bashikhan9188 gali kion de raha hai beghairat
Immoral*
That’s a heart wrenching story of this Nice and Gentle educated man!! May Allah bless him and his family ❤️
His story brought tear to my eyes
Tears rolled down my eyes in the end, seeing him happy, his mother smiling at him! May Allah brings more happiness to him and his family!
His wife is pretty and seems so nice! Wishing him a happy married life.