Daily Times

ISLAMABAD:

Former presidents of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Mondayexpressed deep anguish and concern over the brutal lynching and murder of Mashal Khan, a student of Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan.

“The brutal manner in which students killed their own colleague and attacked others has not only grieved the family of the deceased, but it has also traumatised and disturbed every sane person in the country,” a press statement issued on behalf of 12 former presidents of the SCBAP stated. The joint press statement said that the killing of Mashal Khan was a wake-up call for every citizen who valued diversity and protection from the state.

The 12 former presidents who condemned the incident are: Asma Jahangir, Yaseen Azad, Kamran Murtaza, Akram Sheikh, Abid Hassan Minto, Qazi Muhammad Jameel, Malik Muhammad Qayyum, Muneer A Malik, Justice (r) Tariq Mehmood, Aitzaz Ahsan, Ali Ahmed Khurd, and Syed Ali Zafar.

“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 mobilised within no time to use the worst form of violence in the name of religion,” the press statement continued, adding that worst still was the utter helplessness of law enforcement to control such charged crowds.

The senior lawyers from the top court further stated that it was alarming that in this case law enforcement personnel present on the spot 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,” they asserted.

They maintained that the government should not only ensure that the perpetrators of such crimes are brought to justice, but intolerance must be strictly reprimanded in all institutions.

“Regrettably, the fair name of religion is being misused even by those at the helm of prestigious institutions, which encourages others to follow suit,” they said, adding that an atmosphere of fear was purposely being created to silence any criticism about the exploitation of religion.

Such repression will only intimidate the youth and crush the concept of debate, the press statement said.

The senior lawyers also criticised the government for its failure and inability to check this increasing trend of intolerance.

They demanded the government enact and implement strict laws to curb incitement to violence and exploitation on religious grounds.