Last week things came to a head when Basaas’s shop escaped an inferno in the early hours of Monday. Basaas did not have to look very far for a prime suspect. “Nadeem had done it,” he said. “For a very long time he had sent people to spy on my pricing. At some point he sent his brother to inquire about my shop claiming that he heard it was for sale. When I pressed him to reveal his source he said he did not know and that makes me angry. Two days after my shop was partly burnt he sent one of his servants to call me over to his place as if I was one of his children. Why must he do that,” Basaas continued.

Sadiq has denied any wrong doing. “I did not burn his shop. Why should I do that? The only reason I sent my brother over was to check whether it was true that he was selling his shop. Also, I called him over because I wanted to let him know that my shop is up for sale as I am thinking of relocating to Matsulu,” Sadiq said.

His timing was inopportune though, and it smacked of someone who was gloating over an adversary. Asked if he was aware of Basaas’s misfortune he answered in the affirmative also indicating that his own shop enjoys a 24-hour security service. Commentators have said that Pakistanis are arrogant because of their alleged association with the police. They are said to have benefited from a crooked cop who had, allegedly, illegally rented out firearms to them. However, this matter is still a subject of investigation by the Provincial Police Commissioner. Meanwhile, the Tonga police are investigating a case of arson and malicious damage to property after Basaas had complained to them.