12 former SCBA presidents denounce brutal murder of Mardan student

| 17 April 2017

Press release

Monday, April 17: Twelve former Presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association have expressed their deep anguish and concern over the brutal lynching and murder of Mashal, a student of Abdul Wali Khan University (AKWU). 

The brutal manner in which students of Abdul Wali Khan University killed their own colleague and attacked others has not only given pain and grief to the family of the deceased but it has traumatized and disturbed every sane person in the country. The killing of Mashal Khan is a clear wakeup call for every citizen who values diversity and protection from the State. More voices should severely condemn such brutal acts of violence. It is evident, from the reporting of this gruesome incident, that no one is safe from the rage of mobs that can be mobilized within no time to use the worst form of violence in the name of religion. Worst still is the utter helplessness of the law enforcement to control such charged crowds. It is alarming that in this case the law enforcement present at the site reportedly condoned the brutality.

This has not been the first incident where mob violence has been incited to kill people in the name of religion but an end should be sought to it. The government should not only ensure that the perpetrators of this and other such crimes are brought to justice but that intolerance is strictly reprimanded in all centers of learning . Stricter laws should be enacted and implemented against incitement to violence and exploitation on religious grounds. Social media is full of hate messages that are ill-founded and continue to vilify and threat individuals. Regrettably, the fair name of religion is being misused even by those at the helm of prestigious institutions, which encourages others to follow suit.  An atmosphere of fear is being purposely created to silence any criticism of exploitation of religion. Such repression will only intimidate the youth and asphyxiate debate and discourse. It is now imperative to speak up against vigilantism or mob justice. Equally important is to denounce the inability and reluctance of the government to check the rising trend.   

  1. Akram Sheikh
  2. Abid Hassan Minto
  3. Qazi Muhammad Jameel
  4. Malik Muhammad Qayyum
  5. Muneer A. Malik
  6. Justice (r) Tariq Mehmood
  7. Aitzaz Ahsan
  8. Ali Ahmed Kurd
  9. Asma Jahangir
  10. Yaseen Azad
  11. Kamran Murtaza
  12. Syed Ali Zafar

Category: English

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