Pakistan’s Sindh approaches high court for judicial inquiry into killing of blasphemy suspect

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Sindh government on Wednesday approached a high court for a judicial inquiry into the alleged police killing of a doctor after he was accused of committing blasphemy. 

Dr. Shahnawaz Kanbhar, accused of sharing blasphemous content online, was arrested last month in Sindh’s Umerkot district and killed hours later by police in a purported shootout. According to media reports, police said Dr. Kanbhar was killed unintentionally when cops asked two men on a motorcycle to stop but one of them opened fire, prompting police to shoot back. Police said it was only after the shooting that they learned the slain man was the doctor being sought by them for alleged blasphemy. 

His family disputes the police account, claiming he was murdered in custody. A subsequent inquiry committee constituted by Sindh’s inspector general of police determined that the encounter was a “fake” one.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Pakistani rights activists, who have demanded a transparent investigation into the incident. One person was killed and dozens arrested last week in Karachi after opposing protests by rights activists and an ultraconservative party in Pakistan over the issue triggered clashes with police. 

“It has now become imperative that Judicial Inquiry may be conducted into the subject matter incident in order to ascertain the real facts and fix responsibility on the delinquent police officers/officials and individuals in the interest of justice,” a copy of a letter sent by Sindh’s Home Department to the Sindh High Court’s registrar said. 

“Foregoing in view, it is requested that Judicial Inquiry may be ordered to be conducted in the subject matter by a serving Judge of High Court under intimation to this department.”

Blasphemy accusations are common in Pakistan and under the country’s blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures can be sentenced to death. While no one has been executed on such charges, often just an accusation can cause riots and incite mobs to violence, lynching and killings.

In August 2023, thousands of people set churches and homes of Christians on fire in Jaranwala, a district in Punjab province, over blasphemy allegations in what was one of the worst incidents of violence against Christians in Pakistan. 

Human rights groups and civil society organizations have urged the Pakistani government to repeal the country’s blasphemy laws, which they argue contribute to discrimination and violence. They have also called for a comprehensive review of law enforcers’ response to blasphemy accusations.