The Swat police filed two FIRs for the brutal lynching of a man accused of blasphemy in Madyan. The mob, incited by allegations of desecrating the Holy Quran, attacked the man inside the police station, setting him on fire along with the station itself. This incident echoes a similar one in Sargodha last month.
Authorities are investigating the matter while no arrests have been made. Witnesses recount a mob demanding the suspect from the police, leading to chaos. Videos of the incident circulating online show a gruesome scene.
Regional Police Officer Muhammad Ali Gandapur expressed concern over the break-in and arson, filing FIRs against the deceased and the mob. The SHO revealed that the deceased denied the allegations and a mob forcibly took him. The tragedy left several vehicles destroyed.
Despite the incident, DPO Dr Zahidullah Khan ensured the area’s normality and safety for tourists. The Pakistan Ulema Council condemned the incident, emphasizing the rule of law over vigilante justice.
Khawaja Saad Rafique called for justice and warned against the spread of such violence fueled by extremism in the country.
Blasphemy-related violence, a concerning trend, continues to threaten Pakistan’s social fabric.