SWABI: The representatives of political and religious parties and civil society on Monday demanded speedy trial in the Mashal Khan lynching case for the early punishment of all culpable people.

The demand was made during a jirga held at the Haqqani Library here.

The event was organised by the Mashal Forum, a local organisation working for education in the district.

An Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan student and resident of Swabi district’s Zaida town, Mashal was lynched by a mob on campus on the charge of blasphemy on April 13.

Qaumi Watan Party central information secretary Salim Khan told participants that Mashal Khan was target-killed for exposing the corrupt members of the university’s administration.

“Mashal was a brilliant son of the soil. He used to say the right thing without fear or hesitation no matter what it was against,” he said.

The QWP leader said the police’s investigation exonerated Mashal of blasphemy charge.

Former Awami National Party MNA Bushra Gohar said it was ironically, the student became a victim of terrorism in a university, which was set up in the name of great peace advocate Khan Abdul Wali Khan.

“They put out the mashal (torch) of education by killing Mashal. A true Muslim and Pakhtun always call brutality, brutality,” she said wondering why some supported the culpable people.

MNA Usman Khan Tarakai said PTI chairman Imran Khan had assured Mashal’s parents that the people who planned and executed the student’s lynching would be made an example for committing a brutal act.

“Our party is committed to ensure dispensation of justice to Mashal’s family,” he said.

District nazim and ANP president Ameer Rehman said the party leadership continued to advocate the philosophy of non-violence and that any of its member found guilty of violence would be removed.

JI district chief Amir Mehmoodul Hassan said Mashal’s brutal killing was an act against humanity.

He said the people behind the lynching incident falsely accused the student of blasphemy and that they should be given exemplary punishment by the court of law.

He demanded that all members of the university’s staff and guards be included in the investigation into Mashal lynching case.

MNA Aqibullah Khan said those who either conspired against Mashal Khan should be exposed. He said the student was lynched by a mob and therefore, efforts should be made to effectively check such incidents in future.

Mashal Khan’s father, Mohammad Iqbal, said he wanted an end to the brutal killing of people like his son.

He said the universities should be places of ‘peace and politeness’.

“I appeal to the brilliant people of our district to support me over this biggest tragedy of my life,” he said adding that the investigation had exonerated his son of blasphemy charge.

Mohammad Iqbal praised media, political and religious parties, civil society and other segments of society for supporting his family after Mashal’s killing.

Mashal Forum president Liaquat Yousafzai demanded exemplary punishment for all those involved in the lynching of Mashal.

“I salute Mashal’s parents for showing courage and advocating justice and education,” he said.

Leaders of other political parties and civil society organisations also spoke on the occasion.

At the end, the participants agreed to the constitution of a committee to attend the Supreme Court hearing into Mashal lynching case.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2017