Amnesty International has urged a “thorough, impartial, and independent” investigation into the recent police killings of blasphemy suspects in Sindh and Balochistan.
On September 12, police constable Saad Khan Sarhadi shot dead Abdul Ali, a blasphemy suspect, inside the Cantt Police Station lockup in Quetta. A week later, Dr. Shah Nawaz Kunhbar was killed by police in an alleged encounter in Mirpurkhas. After his family received his body, they were chased by extremists who seized the corpse and set it ablaze.
In a statement released by Amnesty’s South Asia office, the organization emphasized that “Pakistani authorities should conduct a thorough, impartial, and independent investigation into these incidents.” Amnesty also called for the prosecution of those responsible through fair trials, explicitly rejecting the death penalty.
The statement highlighted the ongoing pattern of extrajudicial killings of individuals accused of blasphemy in Pakistan, pointing out that the government has failed to uphold human rights, including the right to life and freedom of religion. Amnesty urged Pakistan to repeal blasphemy laws that perpetuate discrimination and violence.
Since May, at least four individuals accused of blasphemy have been killed in mob violence across the provinces. In addition to the recent incidents in Umerkot and Quetta, similar events occurred in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within a month.
On May 25, police in Sargodha, Punjab, rescued a Christian man from a lynch mob over an alleged desecration but he later died from his injuries. A report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) indicated that this incident might have been a targeted attack linked to a personal dispute. On June 20, a man was killed by a mob in Swat district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for alleged desecration of the Quran, leading to further violence.
In response to the recent killings, ten police officials, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Javed Soonharo Jiskani and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Captain Muhammad Asad Ali of Mirpurkhas, have been suspended. Their suspension order, confirmed for 120 days, includes a requirement for a charge sheet to be submitted.
Dr. Kunhbar’s family has accused the police of extrajudicial killing and called for judicial inquiry, rejecting the police’s internal investigation. Dr. Kunhbar’s mother claimed that the police assured her of her son’s safety, only to have that trust violated, resulting in his death.
In a separate development, two lawyers, including the president of the Quetta Bar Association, have filed a bail application for Sarhadi, the constable who shot Abdul Ali. Following the initial hearing, further proceedings have been adjourned until September 25. The victim’s family has stated they will not pursue the case against Sarhadi and have pardoned him.
Civil society groups have expressed outrage over the Umerkot incident, labeling it extrajudicial. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) have demanded immediate action from Sindh’s leaders, including a judicial inquiry and the arrest of those involved.
Prominent activists met at the National Commission for Human Rights (NHR) in Sindh, rejecting the police inquiry and calling for FIRs against all officers involved. They urged the international community to deny visas and scholarships to those who violate human rights.
The JAC condemned the police for betraying the trust of Dr. Kunhbar’s family and criticized the handling of the corpse, which allowed mob violence to occur. They also pointed to a troubling connection between police, local politicians, and extremists, demanding accountability from leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Sindh Human Rights Commission Chairman Iqbal Detho visited Umerkot to meet with the family and local officials, expressing concern over the chaos in the area and the apparent influence of the mob on police actions. The District Bar Association of Umerkot has passed a resolution condemning the police for their actions, describing the killing as a staged encounter that violated constitutional rights.
