Politicos, citizens call for exemplary punishment for Mashal Khan's killers

Islamabad [Pakistan], May 22 (ANI): Prominent leaders of political and religious parties, and members of civil society, have united together to condemn the killing of Mashal Khan and called for exemplary punishment for his murderers. The Dawn reported that 53 of the 57 suspects have been arrested. The prime suspect, identified as Imran, has confessed his involvement in the murder. The leaders have also requested for protection for security for Mashal's two sisters so that they can continue their education. Mashal's family has asked the court to look into the matter and deliver justice. Pakistan Peoples Party's former provincial president Rahimdad Khan called for establishing a platform which could help in tackling such incidents in future and give a positive direction to the youth. The Dawn quoted Mashal's grief-striken father as appealing, "Let's make the universities and other educational institutions so peaceful that in future no student falls prey to a mob assault like my son." Mashal Khan, a student of Abdul Wali Khan University was stripped, beaten, shot and thrown from his hostel's second floor by a violent mob on April 13 on allegations of posting blasphemous content online. The police have not found any concrete evidence against Mashal or his friends to confirm the allegations.(ANI)