Police Shoot Dead Doctor Accused of Blasphemy in Pakistan
In a shocking turn of events, police in southern Pakistan have fatally shot a doctor accused of blasphemy, sparking outrage from human rights organizations.
Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar met his tragic end during a shootout with officers in Sindh province, as they were unaware of his identity at the time, revealed local police chief Niaz Khoso.
Accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and sharing blasphemous content on social media, Dr. Kanbhar had gone into hiding before the fatal encounter.
This incident marks the second time in a week that a blasphemy suspect in Pakistan has been killed.
Reports indicate that officers in Mirpur Khas attempted to stop two individuals on a motorcycle for a search, but one of them opened fire, leading to the fatal gunfight that claimed Dr. Kanbhar’s life.
Only after the shootout did authorities realize that the deceased was Dr. Kanbhar, according to Khoso.
While police assert that Dr. Kanbhar was accidentally shot by his companion, a relative of the deceased alleges that it was a staged encounter, a claim refuted by local authorities.
An independent inquiry into Dr. Kanbhar’s death has been ordered by the Interior Minister for Sindh province, Zia-ul-Hasan Linjar.
The killing of Dr. Kanbhar follows another deadly incident in Quetta, where a suspect accused of blasphemy was shot inside a police station.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned these extrajudicial killings, expressing grave concern over the trend of violence in blasphemy cases involving law enforcement personnel.
Dr. Kanbhar’s death occurred following a protest in Umerkot demanding his arrest, which escalated to the burning down of his clinic.
The surge in attacks on blasphemy suspects in Pakistan has raised alarm, as accusations or rumors of blasphemy often lead to deadly mob violence.
Under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws, individuals found guilty of insulting Islam or its religious figures can face the death penalty, although executions for blasphemy have not been carried out yet.
The country continues to grapple with the challenge of protecting individuals accused of blasphemy from vigilante justice and ensuring due process.
