PESHAWAR: The participants of a dialogue have said that Mashal Khan’s murder case should be sent to a military court to award exemplary punishment to the culprits.

The dialogues titled, “How can we get justice for Mashal Khan” was organised by Pakhtunkhwa Olasi Tehreek at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday. People from different walks of life attended the event and condemned the lynching of the student at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan.

Pakhtunkhwa Olasi Tehreek convener Dr Said Alam Mehsud, Pakistan Kisan Party’s Shakeel Waheedullah Khan, Awami Workers Party leader Advocate Shahab Khattak, Advocate Amir Sultan from Mardan, Sikh Community representative Radesh Singh Tony, Dr Mian Iftikhar, Shabina Ayaz, Rakhshanda Naz and others spoke on the occasion.

Through a resolution, the participants appreciated religious scholars including Mufti Taqi Usmani, Mufti Naeem, Maulana Samiul Haq, Imam-i-Ka’aba and others for condemning the murder Mashal.

Laud religious scholars for condemning murder of Mashal

They asked the leaders of all religious and political parties to openly condemn the killing of Mashal Khan and term the incident as an act of terrorism.

The participants feared that perpetrators would not get capital punishment owing to poor investigation system. They said that military court would properly hear the case without any influence.

The speakers alleged that some of the staff members of the university were involved in lynching of Mashal Khan. They said that the deceased used to raise voice against corruption and corrupt elements that’s why some of the employees, especially those, who were recruited on basis of political affiliations, became his opponents.

Dr Said Alam Mehsud paid homage to Mashal Khan for raising voice for solution of the problems of the students. He said that he was bold enough to criticise the university administration for increasing fees and described it unjustified.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahab Khattak stressed the need for intensifying the movement, launched to condemn lynching of Mashal Khan and help his family to get justice. He also urged for unity to stop happening of such incidents in future.

“Culprits in a mob murder always escape capital punishment as they get benefit of doubts,” said Amir Sultan and added that the military court was the only option to bring culprits to justice.

Iqbal Hoti and Atif Afzal said that some political parties in Mardan were trying to protect all the people arrested by police. They said that names of those people, who held meeting in Mardan for release of the suspects, should be disclosed.

Shakeel Waheedullah Khan said on the occasion that parties should announce boycott of those politicians, who were trying to release the suspects. He urged government to order probe into the matter so that no one could influence the investigation process.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2017