In response to widespread protests and condemnation from civil society, human rights activists, writers, lawyers, and various community members regarding the alleged extrajudicial killing of blasphemy-accused Dr. Shahnawaz, the Sindh Government has suspended DIG Mirpurkhas Javed Soonharo Jiskani, SSP Mirpurkhas Chaudri Asad, and other police officials. A high-level police inquiry committee has been established to investigate the incident.
Dr. Shahnawaz Kumbhar, a medical officer with the Sindh Health Department posted at Civil Hospital Umerkot, was accused of sharing blasphemous posts on social media. He was shot dead during an alleged police encounter near Sindhri, a small town in Mirpurkhas, on Thursday.
Civil society organizations have rejected the police inquiry committee and demanded a judicial inquiry, as well as the registration of murder cases against DIG Jiskani, SSP Asad, CIA in charge Mirpurkhas Inayat Zardari, and SHO Sindhri Niaz Khoso.
During the Sindh Assembly session, members of the provincial assembly (MPAs), including provincial ministers, expressed their concerns about the incident and the role of the Mirpurkhas and Umerkot police. The Sindh Human Rights Commission, the official human rights body of the Sindh government, has initiated its own inquiry, expressing disappointment over the police's handling of the situation.
Home Minister Zia Lanjar announced the removal of SSP Asad and the establishment of the inquiry committee during the assembly session, following speeches from various MPAs. Under his direction, Sindh Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon has suspended DIG Jiskani, SSP Asad, and other officers. The inquiry committee will consist of DIG Shaheed Benazirabad Parvez Ahmed Chandio, DIG Hyderabad Tariq Razak Dharejo, SSP Badin Sheeraz Nazeer Abbasi, and an additional member to be appointed by the committee. They are required to submit their report within seven days.
According to the Mirpurkhas police and the First Information Report (FIR), two suspects on a motorcycle were intercepted near Sindhri. Both allegedly opened fire on the police, resulting in one suspect being injured by his associate's gunfire, who then fled the scene. The FIR states that when police approached the injured individual, they identified him as Dr. Shahnawaz and noted that he was holding a pistol. He was taken to Mirpurkhas Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Dr. Shahnawaz and his unknown aide were charged under Sections 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), and 324 (attempted murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). A separate case was also filed against him for allegedly possessing an unlicensed pistol.
Earlier, violent protests erupted in Umerkot by religious groups on Wednesday and Thursday, demanding strict action against Dr. Shahnawaz. A large crowd gathered in front of the local press club on Wednesday, calling for his immediate arrest. The protest concluded after the Umerkot SSP assured them that a criminal case would be filed against the doctor. Subsequently, a case under Section 295-C of the PPC was registered against him. Protesters also attacked and set fire to a police mobile van, prompting police to take over ten suspects into custody and register a case against them.
Meanwhile, a Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising six human rights organizations, including the National Commission for Human Rights Pakistan (NCHR), the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Human Rights Defenders (HRD), REAT Network, Women Action Forum (WAF), and Legal Rights Forum (LRF), condemned the ‘extrajudicial and custodial killing’ of Dr. Shahnawaz and called for a judicial inquiry.
The JAC urged the European Commission, the USA, and other embassies not to issue visas or grant scholarships to police officers involved in extrajudicial killings and who do not respect human rights. Human rights defenders expressed concern about a growing atmosphere of fear and harassment in society, with social media users highlighting a perceived nexus among police, elected officials from the ruling party, and religious extremists who are glorifying this incident. The meeting was chaired by NCHR Member (Sindh) Anis Haroon and attended by various activists, lawyers, and journalists. They demanded that the PPP leadership take action against MNA Pir Ameer Ali Shah, who has been criticized for glorifying the police officers involved.