Pakistani authorities in Sindh province have suspended policemen involved in the killing of a blasphemy suspect, Shah Nawaz, who was shot by officers after allegedly opening fire and trying to flee. The incident, which occurred in Mirpur Khas, drew outrage from human rights groups after videos surfaced showing residents applauding and showering the officers with rose petals. The officers were suspended by Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan, including Deputy Inspector General Javaid Jiskani and senior police officer Choudhary Asad. Nawaz, a doctor who had been accused of insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, had gone into hiding before being killed by the police. His family members were later attacked by a mob that burned his body.
The Doctors Wake Up Movement, a rights group for medical professionals in Pakistan, expressed shock over the killing of Nawaz, highlighting his contributions as a doctor who had saved lives. The group criticized the lack of due process in Nawaz’s case, stating that he was killed by the police without the opportunity to present his case in court. Nawaz’s killing came after Islamists in Umerkot protested demanding his arrest, leading to the burning of his clinic by a mob. The incident has sparked concerns about the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, where accusations of blasphemy can trigger violent reactions and lead to mob violence.
Provincial police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon has ordered an investigation into the killing of Shah Nawaz, as well as another incident involving the fatal shooting of a blasphemy suspect in Quetta. In Quetta, Syed Khan was fatally wounded by a police officer inside a police station, despite being in custody after being rescued from an angry mob. The officer, Mohammad Khurram, was arrested following the incident, but later received a pardon from the tribe and family of the slain man. This highlights the complex and controversial nature of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which carry severe penalties, including the death sentence, for those found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures.
The suspension of the officers involved in Nawaz’s killing reflects a response to the public outcry and concerns raised by human rights organizations about extrajudicial killings in Pakistan. The videos of residents showering the police officers with rose petals have generated debate about the role of law enforcement in cases involving blasphemy accusations, with calls for accountability and transparency in handling such sensitive matters. The incidents in Mirpur Khas and Quetta have drawn attention to the need for reforms in the legal system to ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially, without succumbing to vigilantism or mob violence.
Accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan often lead to violence and discrimination against religious minorities, as well as individuals targeted for their beliefs or speech. The misuse of blasphemy laws has been a contentious issue in the country, with calls for their reform to prevent abuse and protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliations. The recent incidents in Sindh and Quetta underscore the challenges faced in balancing religious sensitivities with the rule of law and upholding human rights principles in a diverse and complex society like Pakistan. It remains to be seen how the authorities will address these concerns and ensure justice for the victims of blasphemy-related violence in the future.
