The verdict is likely to set the precedent that the common people shouldn’t take the law into their own hands
KARACHI: This week an anti-terrorism court announced its verdict in the Mashal Khan case. The court awarded death sentence to the main culprit and life imprisonment and various jail terms to the rest five involved in the heinous crime. The verdict is important as it will deter the practice of mob lynching, which has been on the rise over the past few years.
Further, the verdict is likely to set the precedent that the common people shouldn’t take the law into their own hands and act upon it on their own. Although, on the other side, the welcoming response the acquitted accused have received from some political parties is rather disappointing and shows the stance of many being supportive of the mob and their heinous act. Under no circumstances, a crowd or any political group should have the power to punish someone for allegedly committing blasphemy particularly in the presence of courts and a legal system in the country.
Sameen Yousaf
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2018.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
