Inquiry ordered over Mirpurkhas incident

Home minister says blasphemy suspects should be punished by law

KARACHI:

In a policy statement in the Sindh Assembly, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar emphasised that the finality of Prophethood is a fundamental part of their faith, and they are willing to sacrifice their lives and everything for the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

However, he stated that law exists for punishment for blasphemy, people should follow the law.

The home minister reported that blasphemous content had been posted on social media in Umarkot, provoking public outrage. During the resulting ruckus, a police vehicle was also set on fire. He mentioned that police claimed Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar was killed by a bullet from an accomplice during an encounter, while others allege that it was a custodial murder.

Lanjar said an inquiry committee has been formulated, while the Mirpurkhas DIG Jawed Jiskani, Mirpurkhas SSP Chaudhry Asad, Sindhri police station SHO Niaz Khoso, and CIA Incharge Inayat Zardari and other officials have been suspended. These officers will remain suspended until the investigation is concluded.

Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network and other civil society organisations in a meeting held at the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) Sindh office, rejected inquiry ordered by the home department and demanded the registration of FIRs against all police officers implicated in the "custodial killing," including DIG Mirpurkhas Jawed Jiskani, SSP Mirpurkhas Chaudhry Asad, SHO Sindhri Niaz Khoso, and CIA Incharge Inayat Zardari, among others.