Gunmen attack residence of lawyer defending blasphemy accused in Multan

Shahbaz Gormani, who replaced slain lawyer Rashid Rehman as defence counsel for a university lecturer, escapes unhurt

LAHORE: Gunmen opened fire at the residence of a lawyer defending a university lecturer accused of blasphemy and dropped a letter warning him to withdraw from the case, police said on Thursday.

Shahbaz Gormani escaped unhurt after gunmen riding motorbikes attacked his residence in Multan late Wednesday.

Gormani had been appointed defence lawyer in the case after gunmen shot dead Rashid Rehman, a defence counsel for Junaid Hafeez in May.

Hafeez, a lecturer at Bahauddin Zakariya University, was accused of making derogatory remarks against the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) in March last year.

Hafeez was known at the university for his liberal views and the blasphemy case was registered after pressure from right-wing student groups.

"Gunmen riding motorbikes fired indiscriminately outside the residence of Gormani and threw a pamphlet... warning him of serious consequences if he continues to pursue the case," senior police official Muhammad Salim told AFP.

"We are investigating the incident," he added.

Another police official Muhammad Akram confirmed the incident.

Gormani told AFP he survived the incident but demanded that Parliament enact laws to protect lawyers representing people accused of blasphemy.