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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan on Friday condemned the lynching of a 23-year-old student of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan by an enraged mob a day earlier.
Khan, in a tweet, said: "I am in touch with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General since last night on condemnable lynching of student in Mardan."
The PTI chief noted, "Law of the jungle can't prevail," and said that firm action is necessary.
Condemning the act, PTI MNA Asad Umer also tweeted:
"Mardan lynching yet another example of how increasing intolerance is destroying the fabric of society"
Khan and Umer were among only a handful of prominent politicians who issued a strong statement in the Abdul Wali Khan University attack.
Bilawal condemns the ‘cold-blooded murder’
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed grave concern “over the cold-blooded murder of Mashal Khan”, read a statement issued by PPP.
The PPP Chairman demanded immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the condemnable mob act. Bilawal said such incidents in the universities were a big threat to our educational institutions and government should take adequate steps to check such incidents in future.
He also expressed sympathies with the parents and the family of the victim.
On April 13, Mashal Khan and another student of the university, Abdullah, were attacked by a vigilante mob for allegedly "publishing blasphemous content online", local police had said.
Mashal was first shot, then beaten up with wooden planks by an enraged mob of university students.
The incident occurred within the university premises. The campus was shut down following the incident until further notice and its hostels vacated to avoid a further escalation of violence.
No case had been filed against the two students prior to the incident and police had not been investigating the two on blasphemy charges.
The mob instead seems to have been incited by rumours circulating among the university's student body.
A First Information Report was lodged on Friday against 20 suspects, eight of whom have been arrested, police said.
Read more
Mardan university student lynched by mob over alleged blasphemy: police
Why blasphemy remains unpardonable in Pakistan
How your social media activity can land you in jail for blasphemy
The untold story of Pakistan’s blasphemy law
Our hero of the day: A boy presenting his chopped hand on a plate
Call for improvements in blasphemy law not objectionable: SC
On DawnNews
Comments (107) Closed
Apr 14, 2017 10:08am
Thats what i was waiting abd if you didnt condemn this incident you would have lost my vote forever.
Long live Imran .
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Apr 14, 2017 10:10am
Dear Imran , pls make sure that the perpetrators get punished so that this doesnt get repeated again. This kind of an act is unacceptable. Nobody has the right to kill another based on beliefs.
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Apr 14, 2017 10:16am
Thank you Imran Khan for your firm stand. Other politician should raise their voices too.
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Apr 14, 2017 10:32am
Well done IK. Hopefully the culprits shall be penalised in strictest possible manner so that the proceedings of this case must become the deterrent to further such incidents.
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Apr 14, 2017 10:41am
What was his govt doing? Isn't law and order a provincial subject? PTI claims they have tremendously improved police functioning in the province?
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Apr 14, 2017 10:50am
Now this s a statement coming from a leader.Loud and clear that people will not be allowed to take law in their hands irrespective what ever and how sensitive is the issue.Now lets see is it merely a statement or the law will take its course with its full might against the murders?
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Apr 14, 2017 10:51am
IK, It is right to condemn the lynching. But there is a global war on Islam, hot and cold. Random Muslims, especially Muslim women, are being targeted by these people through their poison pen using the Internet. Many have been injured and killed. Children have been bullied and terrorized. Well, the line has been drawn. Either you stop them or we will. Capisce!
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Apr 14, 2017 10:54am
The only leader so far who cautiously condemned the lynching.
Has any other leader condemned it yet?
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Apr 14, 2017 10:57am
Bring the mob to justice. Let the nation see KP is changed now.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:01am
It takes a lot of guts to say what he said in our society which is unfortunate. History will remember IK for saying the right thing on most occasions.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:03am
Just one question : Why is he in touch with IG KP? In what capacity?
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Apr 14, 2017 11:08am
Thank God..... someone spoke against this horror
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Apr 14, 2017 11:18am
As a non-supporter of PTI, I have now been nudged by this act toward voting for them next year.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:31am
Highly condemnable act! Action should be taken aganist the perpetrators
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Apr 14, 2017 11:33am
Shame on all of us on increasing intolerance & polarization in our society and it is all due to bad governance since few decades.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:35am
Condemnation and then silence - typical response of our political leaders. Why no action is taken against those who keep on killing minorities?
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Apr 14, 2017 11:46am
Is this the "Naya Pakistan" you have been boasting for years Mr.Khan
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Apr 14, 2017 11:57am
This is not India, we cannot let this go on. Severe punishment must be handed off to these prople.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:57am
Khan Sb, If you are really serious about KP and people. You would have launched laws for the protection of people for those people. We live in Pakistan. Where we are equal regardless faith and believers.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:11pm
Speedy trial is required for all accused.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:23pm
All those responsible for the act should be brought to justice. This is a now or never moment for Pakistan.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:23pm
Imran Khan must have courage to tackle the bull from its horns and set an example to deal with this matter by real honest actions as the matter demands.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:23pm
Khan Sahib please don't trust Jamaat e Islami. You made a huge mistake by giving ministry of education to JI. They played a huge role in radicalizing the society through education in the 80s. What happened yesterday can be linked to current education system that spreads hate and looks at everything through religious glasses.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:23pm
Oh! Dear Kapitano really. We the Pakistanis forgot your much civilized and tolerant conversations during your Great dharnas.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:24pm
Is this is the condition and level of discourse at Universities in Pakistan.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:37pm
rest assured,there shall be no convictions.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:42pm
Tragically the government's silence on this murderous act is deafening.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:48pm
None would be punished, mark my words. This holy land has been turned into real mess by the extremists. We have been blaming madarsahs for extremism; look universities are full of ignorants.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:48pm
What actions you have taken? What about those police officers standing silent during? Actions must be louder than words Mr. Khan.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:48pm
Mr Imran Khan, you gave millions of rupees to a Madrassah in Akora area, does that madrassah has to say anything about these barbaric acts too?
Where are all the prominent ullamah in your province at least?
Your strict actions will not bring the lost life back
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Apr 14, 2017 12:52pm
@VIRKAUL In such sudden cases you cannot blame the law enforcement agencies.
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Apr 14, 2017 12:56pm
PTI to prove now that they have changed the system and render justice. Why police has not intervened and acted when they were present in the campus. PTI to take action against police as well.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:00pm
Very courageous Imran Khan. Thanks for taking a principle stand. However, your coalition partner condones such activities. What are you going to do about that?
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Apr 14, 2017 01:03pm
Syllabus of hatred and intolerance in educational institutiins must be changed.Students should be taught respect of humanity.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:06pm
This is horrific and heartbreaking. As a former university employee, I am curious how something like this can happen on the premises of a university. Where were the university personnel? Where weer the security guards and why no one called the police... And, if police were there, what did they do?
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Apr 14, 2017 01:10pm
@majid you can't change naya Pakistan overnight, it takes years to educate the public, since education has been given low priority.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:12pm
If ever something was worth doing a dharna on to save Pakistan, it was this tragedy that has been preceded by similar ones and will be followed by many more unless the extremist mindset is condemned and punished comprehensively.
This is an existential issue I rank above corruption. There are plenty of countries surviving and thriving with an element of corruption (South Korea for one) but none that have intolerance and extremism.
Imran Khan has been guilty of patronizing the hate preachers just as much as any other politician, but we can expect more from him on pushing reform. Please do it Khan sb. PLEASE.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:17pm
@VIRKAUL @Taimur @Majid You guys didn't read the part about arresting 45 people, did you?
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Apr 14, 2017 01:29pm
With all due respect to all political leaders past and present. What measures have you taken to improve the overall condition of our society? By the results of it, none.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:30pm
@irfan it's not KP the subject here. It's our society.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:39pm
@shahryar shirazi ....kindly note that we don't let anything like this " just
Go " in India either. Have you not seen the strong media response and people response condemning these kind of dastardly things? Just admit that these things happen anywhere in the subcontinent. Nobody is proud of it.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:41pm
IK is right.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:49pm
What plan of action does our institutes have or the law enforcement agencies have to curb or prevent such incidence? This is not the first time we have witnessed mob lynching!!! Condemning is not a solution!!! An action plan is needed!!!
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Apr 14, 2017 01:54pm
It is not a provincial issue KPK or Punjab, it is the mindset of our society. Let us not blame IK or any other leader. Sad part is, lynching happened in a university where one expected some degree of tolerance.
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Apr 14, 2017 01:54pm
@VIRKAUL - Do traffic accidents take place in your city?
Do people die after consuming bad food or contaminated water anywhere in Pakistan?
Do Police officers and ordinary Citizens get killed in targeted killings in Karachi?
Do things get stolen, carjacking and mobile snatching take place in your city?
Is the governor of a Province and a police officer is supposed to be present at every street corner, every school or college in any city, 24/7?
IK is not All-seeing God, who is responsible for every little thing that happens in his province. Then why do cylnder blasts or terrot attacks take place in Lahore - the seat of power of both Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif - who control the country and the Punjab province???
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Apr 14, 2017 01:55pm
Evil barbarics
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Apr 14, 2017 01:56pm
See law and order situation in Punjab Mr. Khan. Rad-ul-fassad should also be done in KPK. KPK is not so clean as Mr. Khan is showing!
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Apr 14, 2017 02:01pm
matter is of serious nature so it required through probe, besides this it is impossible to declare some one guilty so for this purpose fair and honest officer's service could be obtained so as to reach the reality.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:04pm
Thank You Imran Khan.
You are right we can not let rule of Jungle go on in our country.My humble request to all those making comments on social media.Please dont try to make it a political issue because it has happened in KPK and you are against IK. This is not an issue of one province only.We have germs of this disease all over the country.We must stop functioning of the institutions where hatred is being spread for religious difference of opinion.No individual has the right to take away the life of another human being.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:10pm
Immensely sad that such should happen in our day and age.. Very sad... An example of the culprits would be a warning for students or others not to take the law in their hands, certainly not murder brutally with total impunity..
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Apr 14, 2017 02:11pm
@Umair Khan ministry of education does not lie with the JI. you've been grossly misinformed.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:12pm
@majid Naya Pakistan cannot take shape unless we change our mindset and embrace tolerence. And its not only about KPK.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:13pm
We need to go after the molvis who incite hatred and division amongst us and at the same time educate students and people as a whole. My kids go to an Islamic school here in the UK but by law they are also taught about other religions which makes the society. As far as the law and order is concerned nothing can prepare you for this kind of tragedy apart from deterrence. All the people behind this must be punished accordingly with 0 tolerance.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:15pm
@Rizwan But the sad fact of our society is IK has risked many supporters move away from PTI by speaking against the "public opinion". This is exactly why most politicians wouldn't utter a word of condemnation. This is IK for you; saying what is right, not what is popular.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:22pm
@VIRKAUL : True, it is government's job to ensure law & order which the government is failing to perform, but the real problem is the mind set of the people and of the society at large which promotes intolerance, emotionalism and extremism; sadly with support of the government functionaries and of the political leadership.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:22pm
@VIRKAUL yes, that is why the police has arrested suspects and registered cases against both perpetrators and uni admin under anti terror laws. please read the complete news story before commenting. thanks.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:30pm
Yes, Imran, there is Law of Jungle in every university of Pakistan. Students are more interested in unwanted activities rather education. All responsibilities go to political parties who sponsor these student groups. But now these are monsters and there is no hope to control them.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:37pm
Only condemnation won't work. We want concrete justice to this inhuman acts. Perpetrators should be punished and punished soon.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:43pm
I have faith in educated pakistanis they will not let the mob culture of their neighbor invade the country.Also the constitution of pakistan needs to be reviewed,democratic institutions empowered much more
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Apr 14, 2017 02:46pm
This lip service is too little and too late. IK should have gone to Mardan immediately after the incident and stayed there until the completion of preliminary investigation.
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Apr 14, 2017 02:55pm
But people will not listen
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Apr 14, 2017 03:01pm
imran you are a man of positive thinking so is your team . there is one political party whose student wing is always involved in this kind of terrorism pl get it check this case atleast the crimneals be punished
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Apr 14, 2017 03:05pm
Let's see what our religious leaders has to say.
.
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Apr 14, 2017 03:07pm
Where are those religious leaders condemning this act of barbarism?
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Apr 14, 2017 03:07pm
@VIRKAUL I think we should wait and see what happens to those terrorists and then play the blaming game.
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Apr 14, 2017 03:10pm
@VIRKAUL I think we should wait till the case is resolved and then start the blame game.
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Apr 14, 2017 03:16pm
@Tanweer In the capacity of a concerned citizen....why do you ask?
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Apr 14, 2017 03:19pm
@VIRKAUL - A crime happens everywhere, even in good societies. You cannot predict an incident like this. 'Good governance' is what action is taken against the culprits!
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Apr 14, 2017 03:34pm
Which organisations (Schools / Madrassahs / PTV ) are teaching the masses that the law cannot be taken into their own hands. It is a great Neglect that even University going students are still Jahils
It is alarming that even the university level students are showing the attributes of ordinary illiterate people.
Our Education system requires major revamping on war footings.
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Apr 14, 2017 04:19pm
Good move by PTI. Now please also have a look into the educational curriculum that has created such monsters.
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Apr 14, 2017 04:31pm
MQM also condemned the incident actually they are pointing out the talibanization of Pakistan since long
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Apr 14, 2017 04:31pm
Good job by PTI government and Imran Khan congratulations from India. This will stop mob justice.
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Apr 14, 2017 04:34pm
Make an example of students involved in the killing of this student .
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Apr 14, 2017 04:37pm
@Ahmad obviously they went in the wrong direction...
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Apr 14, 2017 04:44pm
Shame on all other politicians who have sealed their tongues resulting in condoning the act of rowdy mob of haters. This type of action is not permitted by any human standards let alone by Islam.
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Apr 14, 2017 05:18pm
well done IK..this was needed of you
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Apr 14, 2017 05:23pm
Where is the rule of law? This barbarian and mind boggling act is simply
not acceptable.
Please set an example by punishing these murderers.
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Apr 14, 2017 05:30pm
Mr. Khan, is verbal condemnation all that we will hear from you? Or is there anything practical that you want to do about this. Remember APS.
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Apr 14, 2017 05:41pm
So what has the KP police chief done so far in terms of bringing the perpetrators of lynching to justice? Khan Sb will be well-advised in taking swift action over this outrage.
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Apr 14, 2017 05:59pm
And what about PML N, PPP and all the Islamic Parties plus the so called Scholars/Mufits/Ulema, why are they all silent here. Don't they realize that silence in this case means you support and condone this action?
As I said it before in order to cleanse Pak the war has to be fought on two fronts (1) against the militants, which the armed forces are doing an excellent job and (2) against the mindset, here the politicians are failing the nation.
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Apr 14, 2017 06:00pm
Where is the law enforcement's effort in clamping down on the extremists propagating this mindset. Religious hate speech and blasphemy laws are condoning this behavior. How can Pakistan keep blasphemy laws and yet try to stop people when they side with it? Mind boggling..
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Apr 14, 2017 06:08pm
As blind supporter of IK whatever he do is 100℅ right whether dharna,justice wajih removal from intra party election commission chief,lookinh for 3rd umpire,pathechaar team word,mud slinging during dharna speeches etc.All is acceptable he is our national hero.
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Apr 14, 2017 06:22pm
Condemnation is not enough. A solid action is needed.
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Apr 14, 2017 06:31pm
@ABE
"IK is not All-seeing God, who is responsible for every little thing that happens in his province. "
A human being beaten to death by a mob (of university students, no less!) in full view of a contingent of police is a 'little thing'?
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Apr 14, 2017 06:43pm
@FAM - So where were you when that 'big event' was taking place?
I bet you were glued to FB or Twitter, or sleeping at home? Why didn't you rush there to help that poor soul?
Dozens die in any given city in Pakistan every day, over things as trivial as parking space.
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Apr 14, 2017 06:49pm
@irfan - You are quite ignorant to take things literally. Have you heard of 'figure of speech' or 'metaphor'? "little' in this case, does not mean no life is important.
Or would you say a 'little' pothole on a road is not so 'little' if it causes an accident to someone?? Should we have IK arrested for everything? How about NS for Lahore, Punjab blasts?
Or put Zardari in jail for daily targeted killings in Karachi? Or how about for PIA flight from Karachi, with drugs being smuggled on board to Europe? Who is responsible for those crimes?
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Apr 14, 2017 06:50pm
Khan and Umer were among only a handful of prominent politicians who issued a strong statement in the Abdul Wali Khan University attack.
PTI MNA from Mardan Mujahid Khan, while taking oath as MP, gave the title of "Ghazi" to Mumtaz Qadri and demanded his immediate release.He is not the only PTI MP. A few other also express the bigotry point of view.
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Apr 14, 2017 07:36pm
To condemn is the first step which is good. The next step is to make an example out of the barbarians so that it sends down shivers through people holding such heinous notions in their minds.
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Apr 14, 2017 07:48pm
@Fahad
So the words are enough? Why it happened at first place? And how soon the mob will be punished? And most importantly, why police couldn't and didn't stop it? Apparently this province has got a new and very improved police force!!
Wait till we see the climax.
And I hope he'll stop pouring millions of $$ in Haqqani madrasa.
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Apr 14, 2017 08:28pm
Really, what about talking to victims family and giving them support and security.
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Apr 14, 2017 09:01pm
@majid - "Is this the "Naya Pakistan" you have been boasting for years Mr.Khan"
What a lame argument. If someone commits a crime in KP, you think that it should be blamed at IK?
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Apr 14, 2017 09:02pm
@shahryar shirazi : do not compare your one to India....evidence is there for everyone to see..who has progressed and who has not ...
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Apr 14, 2017 09:06pm
Is this 21st Century and is this Pakistan ?
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Apr 14, 2017 09:25pm
University is a place of learning, learning is a process in which there is lots of critical inquiry i.e. questions are asked, all sides to an argument are explored. University is no place for intolerance and shutting down debate, you can make your feelings and discomfort known and speak 'your truth' without abusing anyone and certainly not harming anyone physically or verbally. In Islam you are expected to win over people with beautiful argument and prayer, not by beating the life out of them. For that, you will be forever accountable to God for murder which is a most heinous crime in Islam.
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Apr 14, 2017 10:45pm
@VIRKAUL couldn't agree more. Let's see it is just talk or PTI provincial govt will do something about this case.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:28pm
The Government should immediately order permanent shut down of this university to make it an example for extremists who have crept into other educational institutions.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:40pm
Probes should be done across the board and convicts must get punished severly so no one could take law in their hands. This is a serious topic. There had been many cases in the past where blasfamouy would use as a link to punish opponents for political rivalry or to blow the minorities away. This practice must be banned and whoever uses this criteria to assault someone must face the music.
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Apr 14, 2017 11:48pm
Where are our religious leaders? Their silence is deafening.
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Apr 15, 2017 01:35am
@Tanweer: as a citizen...Duh! You can approach the IG too. Any civilized society allows access to law enforcement officials for public grievances in addition to institutions. Sure in our country it's more convenient for people in power to access easily. But maybe read it up on it.
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Apr 15, 2017 05:47am
Well said Imran Khan. That's what you call a leader. Unlike those who violate the law themselves and people vote for them over again to fix the law for the country.
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Apr 15, 2017 01:32pm
@Tanweer of course that is the question to ask. Well done genius.
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Apr 15, 2017 02:51pm
I feel the urge to just remain quiet and pray for the bereaved family and the departed soul. No use in commenting. This society is incorrigible.
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Apr 15, 2017 03:53pm
The Law of the Jungle is better than many laws prevailing in this country.
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Apr 15, 2017 09:58pm
@Taimur As the saying goes: This too shall pass.
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Apr 15, 2017 10:12pm
@Harmony-1© And pray, what action has been taken against those who burnt the Christian couple alive ? Or those that beat the two brothers to death?
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Apr 16, 2017 10:52am
@VIRKAUL
Can police know if scuffle is happening at your home?
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Apr 16, 2017 01:45pm
I was expecting more words from IK. being his staunch supporter ....his brief words on such tyrant issue does not do justice.
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