Islamabad, Sept 27:
Home Minister of Pakistan’s Sindh Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has said in his investigation report that the police “staged the encounter” killing of a doctor in Mirpurkhas who was suspected of blasphemy, media reports said.
In its report on the killing of the Dr Shahnawaz on September 19, the investigation committee “unanimously” decided that Mirpurkhas police “killed him (Dr Shahnawaz) in a managed encounter and tried to give it a legal cover but failed,” reported Dawn.com.
Lanjar suggested “strict departmental action” against Umerkot and Mirpurkhas police officials who reportedly cheered the death, as well as that the deceased’s relatives record a statement and submit a first information report (FIR) in accordance with the applicable laws.
The inquiry committee came to this conclusion after reviewing police testimony, tracker data, social media posts, and CCTV video. It also stated that Dr Shahnawaz was taken into custody by Umerkot police from Karachi and then sent to Mirpurkhas police custody.
Authorities reported that Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar was shot and killed on September 19 after a gunfight with the police in Mirpurkhas. Kunbhar was suspected of spreading blasphemous statements on social media.
The deceased was an employee of the Senate in Islamabad but was removed from the job recently.
According to the FIR registered under Section 295(C) of the PPC and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, the suspect was accused of uploading hateful material against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in four separate posts, the reports said.
In a formal order issued on September 19, the Sindh Inspector General (IG) established an investigation committee to look into two cases (FIR Nos. 47/2024 and 48/2024) that were filed at the Sindhri police station.
On Wednesday, civil society activists from all around the province took part in a demonstration at the Umerkot Press Club, which was headed by the blasphemy suspect’s daughter among others.
(UNI)
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