Pakistani lawmakers condemn 'barbaric' murder of student
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 April 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistani lawmakers condemn 'barbaric' murder of student, 18 April 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59818d2913.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 18, 2017 14:57 GMT
This story contains a video component; use the link below to view the video on RFE/RL's page.
Pakistan's National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution on April 18 condemning what it called the "barbaric and cold-blooded murder" of a university student by other students who accused him of blasphemy.
A group of students at the Abdul Wali Khan University in the conservative northwestern city of Mardan beat and shot Mashal Khan dead within the university premises on April 13, accusing him of sharing blasphemous content on social media.
The resolution by lawmakers demanded that government officials at the federal and provincial levels take quick action against those responsible for the murder.
"This House unanimously condemns the barbaric and cold-blooded murder of Mashal Khan and resolves to ensure that strong safeguards be inserted into the blasphemy law to prevent its abuse through such atrocities in the future, including by mobs involved in such crimes," the resolution said.
"This House condemns all those who take the law into their own hands and engage in vigilantism, resulting in loss of innocent human lives."
Police have arrested eight Pakistanis allegedly involved in the attack. They have been charged with murder and terrorism.
Based on reporting by BBC, Dawn.com, and ARY News
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
