Sindh Suspends Police Officers After Blasphemy Suspect’s Death in Custody
KARACHI – Sindh’s Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar informed the provincial assembly on Friday that several police officials, including the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Mirpurkhas, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the CIA team of Mirpurkhas, and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sindhri, were suspended following the death of a blasphemy suspect in police custody.
The suspect, identified as Dr. Shah Nawaz, a doctor from Umerkot district, had been accused of sharing blasphemous content on social media and had gone into hiding before the incident occurred.
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Details of the Incident
According to Niaz Khoso, a local police official, Nawaz was killed on Wednesday night during a shootout. Officers had signaled two men on a motorcycle to stop in Mirpur Khas, but instead of stopping, the men opened fire. One suspect managed to escape, while the other, identified posthumously as Dr. Shah Nawaz, was killed.
The local police had been searching for Nawaz in connection with the blasphemy charges, but officers claimed they were unaware of his identity at the time of the shootout. Following the incident, videos surfaced on social media showing local clerics praising the police for killing the suspect.
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Inquiry and Suspension of Police Officials
During a session of the Sindh Provincial Assembly, Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar addressed the issue, describing it as alarming and a matter that had been echoing for the past 48 hours. He explained that an inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident, and the inquiry committee is expected to submit its report within seven days.
Lanjar emphasized the importance of adhering to Islamic teachings and the principles of justice outlined by Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), urging that all incidents, particularly those of blasphemy, be thoroughly verified before any extrajudicial actions are taken.
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Protecting the People of Sindh
The home minister reiterated that the police were responsible for the protection of the life and property of all citizens in Sindh. He also stressed that the police were not in a position to make judicial decisions and should give all suspects an opportunity to prove their innocence before taking any action.
An inquiry is currently underway to determine whether the killing of Dr. Shah Nawaz was an extrajudicial act or a result of police defending themselves during the shootout.
For more on the role of law enforcement in Pakistan, see Dawn’s Special Reports.
Key Takeaways:
•Several senior police officials in Sindh have been suspended following the death of a blasphemy suspect, Dr. Shah Nawaz, in police custody.
•The Sindh Home Minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident, with a report expected within seven days.
•The minister highlighted the importance of verifying facts and adhering to principles of justice in such sensitive cases.
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