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Mashal murder case: JIT finds group in university incited mob against student on pretext of blasphemy
A report compiled by a 13-member joint investigation team (JIT) investigating the lynching of Mashal Khan stated that a group in the university incited a mob against the Mardan university student on pretext of blasphemy. It added that no proof was found that Khan had committed blasphemy.
In April, a vigilante mob, incited by rumours attacked Khan for allegedly "publishing blasphemous content online". The mass communication student was beaten and shot by the mob and succumbed to the injuries he received.
The JIT report acquired by DawnNews said that Khan was murdered in line with a plan allegedly hatched by Sabir Mayar, the president of the Pakhtun Student's Federation (PSF) and Ajmal, the president of the employees at the Abdul Wali Khan University (AWKU), where Khan was studying Mass Communication.
The report said that during interrogation, Ajmal claimed that Mayar had come into his office one day and said that Mashal "must be removed". However, the report added, the interrogation did not offer clarity into the meaning of Mayar's remarks.
According to the report, Mayar viewed Khan's stance against activities on campus to be a threat to the PSF.
The JIT report said that Khan had been vocal about the rights of students at the university and even challenged the appointment of a new vice chancellor (VC) at the university to ensure that students were able to obtain their degrees, which is not possible without the VC's signature.
Days before he was lynched by the mob, Khan in an interview to Khyber news channel spoke against activities at the university and the administration, the report said.
The investigation revealed that illegal and criminal activities persisted in the university hostel and female students were also exploited in the university.
In its proceedings, the JIT investigated the role the police played in the incident and in its report, recommended an inquiry to probe the negligence of police officials.
The report added that no evidence regarding allegations of blasphemy against Khan was found during investigation into the student's murder.
Comments (28) Closed
So much ignorance among University students, What an appalling irony!
Justice delayed is justice denied.
Now Mr. Khan must fulfill his words of exemplary punishment to those involved in the lynching of Mashal Khan and set a precedent that stymie such incidents of crimes against humanity.
A huge amount of evidence by mobile phone cameras has made the culprits so easy to prosecute and punish. It will be a shame if the culprits and the "unknown hand" behind them are not given exemplary punishment.
Where do we stand as a society? A change in attitude of extended society is mandatory, all of us should step into shoes of people who denied Mashaal his right of funeral, and carve that guilt within us so nobody ever is denied right of a proper funeral, and that is just the beginning.
Now there should be no delay in providing Justice. Also this is a test case for PTI.
Sad seeing ANP and PSF workers involved in the conspiracy against Mashal Khan.
Criminals must be punished. People need to know what is actually happening around us.
Another innocent soul lost.
Twisting the real fact ,the reason for his death is blasphemy. He is not the first one killed for this reason
I hope Justice is done soon in this case with exemplary punishment pronounced on the culprits
I do not see any mentioning of the involvement of the university administration, possibility of which was reported in earlier reports.
I suggest a complete overhaul of the university administration. HEC officials should refuse to sit with the current staff and administration of Mardan University. I also suggest the university be closed for at least one year, if not indefinitely.
Ignorance and irrational intolerant narrow minded behaviour among university faculty! Unbelievable!
My heart cries for that poor innocent soul..
good.
It is test case of Naya Pakistan. The way KPK Police and other institutions are portrayed, nation expect quick justice otherwise if nothing happens and Imran Khan still comes into power, the nation will have the greatest of disappointment of it's life time. This is really defining moment. No excuse from prime minister in waiting.
We should take declaration from every student who join university or studying in university not to indulge in any religious activity.
Now this is a dark stain in our face as a nation. All those students and staffs involved in this callous act should be made an example for others through severe punishment endowed in our law.
One precious life lost just because of ignorance, there is no compensation for human life.
The correct decision because it is true.
All involved A to Z (the perpetrators and their blind followers) deserve to be punished with exemplary punishments so such criminal actions can never be planned and performed by others.
If University students in Pakistan can be so reactionary - what hope is there for the rest of ignorant population.
A society truly in decay
@Falcon1 ... You said it bro.
@imran khan soomro Unfortunately nobody tries to get to the root cause. The universities are run like kingdoms by vcs being kings. There are no checks, even the provincial governments and hec are totally helpless. Sometime back the kpk government wanted to introduce some checks but the VCS of all kpk universities immediately got together and foiled that attempt and it was termed as interference.
@imran khan soomro : "Exemplary" punishments usually fail to restrain people bent on their mission. Lets study the highly authoritarian self-appointed judge- jury-executioner types. Perhaps people need to heed Socrates' wisdom that " the unexamined life is not worth living". So: Looking inward (introspection) without acknowledging our weaknesses and excesses is wasted energy. Mob violence is wicked.
@Imran Ahmed: History has witnessed university led injustices worldwide. It is not "unbelievable".
Without improving education system we can not solve our problems.
Nothing will happen ... all the people arrested are going to be released after some time