Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar presented the findings of an inquiry into the killing of Dr. Shahnawaz Kumbhar, who was accused of blasphemy and shot dead by police in Mirpurkhas on September 19. The inquiry concluded that police staged the encounter.
Dr. Kumbhar, a senior medical officer at DHQ Umerkot, was alleged to have shared blasphemous posts on social media. Lanjar announced that the investigation found Dr. Kumbhar was killed in a fabricated encounter. As a result, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), the Superintendent of Police (SSP), and eight other police officers from Mirpurkhas have been suspended.
Lanjar explained that the Supreme Court has ruled that only one FIR can be registered per crime, granting Dr. Kumbhar's family the right to file an FIR against the involved officers. "If they do not, the state will register the FIR," he said.
During a press conference, Lanjar clarified that the inquiry focused solely on the encounter and not on the alleged blasphemy. "We have sent evidence for forensic analysis, including Dr. Kumbhar's phone, to a Punjab forensic lab," he stated. "We urge caution before jumping to conclusions."
The minister emphasized the need to restore the police force's integrity and morale. "Police officers are meant to protect the public; we must work to clear the stigma surrounding them," he said. He also mentioned that any political figures who praised the burning of Dr. Kumbhar's body would be investigated, reiterating that such actions would not be tolerated.
Lanjar confirmed that there are six FIRs related to the case, which will be thoroughly investigated. A new DIG, Zubair Dareshak, has been appointed, and the committee will include two SSPs from Umerkot and Shaheed Benazirabad districts.
He stressed the importance of protecting the rights of both Muslims and religious minorities, affirming the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) commitment to law, constitution, and democratic principles.
Background Of The Incident
On September 17, the Umerkot police received reports of blasphemy involving Dr. Kumbhar, triggering protests and riots in Umerkot. Following escalating pressure from the public and clerics, an FIR (No. 42/2024) was filed against Dr. Kumbhar by a local cleric. Under significant public pressure, the Umerkot police arrested him in Karachi.
As tensions rose, the Umerkot SSP directed that Dr. Kumbhar be transported back without informing local police. En route, the SSP ordered the Mirpurkhas police to take custody of Dr. Kumbhar due to the volatile situation.
According to the inquiry, Dr. Kumbhar was killed in a staged encounter at a location under the jurisdiction of Sindhri police station. After the incident, his body was taken to DHQ Civil Hospital Mirpurkhas for postmortem procedures. Upon attempting to transport his body for burial, a mob prevented the ambulance from entering the village, leading to further chaos.
Committee Findings And Recommendations
The committee concluded that the police had unlawfully staged Dr. Kumbhar's encounter, which severely tarnished the image of the Sindh Police. They recommended that the family be allowed to lodge an FIR for murder, and that strict disciplinary action be taken against the officers involved.
The inquiry highlighted serious procedural violations by the Mirpurkhas police and suggested that any investigations be conducted by senior officers from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) or Crime Branch.