People I trusted would teach my son, killed him: Mashal's father

Iqbal Khan says he was told Mashal's comments in an interview with a TV channel were the reason behind his murder

The father of Mashal Khan, a university student lynched over blasphemy accusations, said on Tuesday that his son was murdered by people who he had trusted would teach him.

“I last saw Mashal when he was packing his clothes to leave for college again. I don’t remember what he had said that day. I don’t remember his words but I do remember the smile on his face. He was happy,” Muhammad Iqbal Khan told a private TV channel.

Mashal, a student of journalism at the Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, was shot in the head and chest and then his body desecrated by a mob accusing him of committing blasphemy.

Iqbal said he had heard that Mashal’s recent interview with a TV channel, wherein he had accused the university's officials of mismanagement, was the reason behind of his murder.

“He [Mashal] complained about the absence of a vice chancellor. Many students can't graduate without the chancellor's signature. He called for a reduction in the college fee. Teachers at the Abdul Wali Khan University are holding more than one designation, and taking home two paychecks. They are involved, I am told, in framing him,” he added. “Those I had trusted would teach my son, killed him."

Recounting memories of his beloved son, Iqbal said God had given him the beautiful gift of a child in 1992 and from the beginning he had known Mashal would excel in his studies.

“He was extraordinary. We instantly knew that. He loved reading and writing,” he added.

The grieving father said after the incident his nephew had passed school with flying colours and now wanted to go to college. However, Iqbal’s brother is reluctant to send him there. "My brother is now afraid of sending his son to a university. He believes they kill children there,” Iqbal remarked.

Mashal's father does not sound all too distraught and said there was always light at the end of the tunnel. “My son will never come back, but his memory may live on forever,” he added.

“Awareness is increasing. I’ve seen it on TV. I saw it in my own hometown. People are coming out on the streets. They know Mashal was innocent."

Iqbal urged the government and mainstream political parties to unite against the brutal injustice meted out to his son.

“I know justice will not bring my Mashal back. Still I urge all political parties, for your children's sake and mine, let's become one. Let's send a loud and clear message... No one should be scared of going to school."