WASHINGTON: The United States has urged Pakistan to investigate the killing of a lawyer in Multan who was allegedly shot dead for defending a university lecturer accused of blasphemy.

“We were deeply saddened by the murder of Rashid Rehman, an attorney and human rights defender in Pakistan,” said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

At a news briefing on Friday afternoon, the US official “encouraged Pakistani authorities to swiftly investigate this crime and bring to justice those responsible”.

Gunmen stormed Mr Rehman’s office on Wednesday and started firing indiscriminately, killing him and injuring two others.

Ms Psaki noted that Mr Rehman had received death threats in the past as well for his work, promoting human rights in his country.