Human Rights Defenders and civil society activists have condemned the recent police encounter involving Dr. Shahnawaz Kumbhar in Mirpurkhas, labeling it a “fake” incident and demanding a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge. During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, activists expressed their discontent with the police Inquiry Committee established by Home Minister Zia Lanjar, calling it inadequate.
They highlighted that Dr. Shahnawaz, accused of blasphemy, had surrendered to the Umerkot Police under the assurance of safety for himself and his family but was later killed in police custody during a purported encounter led by DIG Mirpurkhas. Sindh Minister for Education Syed Sardar Ali Shah admitted in the Sindh Assembly that he had instructed the SSP Umerkot to arrest Dr. Shahnawaz in Karachi, raising serious questions about the authenticity of the FIRs lodged against him. Activists argue that this admission underscores the false nature of the accusations against him.
They called for the statement of Minister Shah to be recorded under Section 161 CrPC before police, as well as under Section 164 CrPC before a magistrate. Furthermore, they demanded that the implicated police officers be charged under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Qatle-Amad) and sought transparency regarding the arrest memo from Umerkot Police. Activists also expressed their commitment to support the grieving family, which includes Dr. Shahnawaz’s mother and five children, who claim that the police have betrayed them. They highlighted the disturbing alliance between law enforcement, ruling party politicians, and religious extremists that glorifies the violent incident. They urged PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and MNA Asefa Bhutto to take action against MNA Pir Ameer Ali Shah for allegedly celebrating the accused officers involved in the encounter. Additionally, civil society members called on international embassies not to grant scholarships or visas to police officers involved in extrajudicial actions. Protests are planned across Sindh, with activists encouraging Bar Associations to join their movement for justice.
If their demands are not met, they plan to meet with top political figures, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and if necessary, will protest outside the Sindh Assembly. The press conference featured prominent voices, including Ms. Anis Haroon from the National Commission for Human Rights, Ali Palh of the Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network, and various human rights activists advocating for accountability and justice.
