KARACHI – Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar, Sindh resident who was killed for sharing blasphemous content online, was arrested in Umerkot district and killed in a purported encounter, which now turned out to be fake.
As police claimed Shahnawaz was killed unintentionally, Sindh Interior minister Zia ul Hassan Lanjar presented the findings of a 31-page report to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, confirming the encounter was fake.
The revelations sparked outrage and senior officials Deputy Inspector General (DIG), and Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Mirpurkhas have been suspended.
The report focused specifically on the fake encounter, with a forensic investigation ongoing to explore potential blasphemy. Lanjar stated that the report recommends the victim’s family file a First Information Report (FIR) against the involved officers. The government reached out to the family, offering them the option to take legal action.
Minister assured that the state would intervene, and chase the case. He emphasized the importance of a swift investigation, noting that the incident poses a significant challenge to police integrity. The government is committed to maintaining its authority and ensuring all institutions operate within their designated roles.
A mob burnt the corpse of the Shahnawaz who was accused of blasphemy and later killed by a policeman in Pakistan’s Sindh province, preventing the family from carrying out his burial.
The police claimed he was shot during a confrontation after trying to escape arrest. His body was returned to his family for burial on Thursday evening. Dr. Kanbar is survived by his wife and four children.
‘Tourist’ lynched and set on fire in Swat over blasphemy allegations
