Umerkot, Sindh, 20 September 2024 – Dr. Shahnawaz Shah, a government-employed doctor from Umerkot district, was killed in an alleged police encounter on Wednesday, 18 September. He had been accused of sharing objectionable content on social media during the 12 Rabi al-Awwal celebrations, which led to a blasphemy case being registered against him under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
According to police reports, the encounter occurred during a raid to arrest Dr. Shah. The Mirpurkhas police spokesperson, Danish Ali Bhatti, stated that Shah and an armed accomplice opened fire on officers as they attempted to evade arrest. In the ensuing exchange, Shah was killed, allegedly by shots fired by his accomplice.
The First Information Report (FIR) of the incident claims that police attempted to stop two motorcyclists for a search, but they fired at the officers instead. One of the suspects fled, while Shah was identified at the scene with a pistol in his hand. He was taken to Mirpurkhas Civil Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
The police have charged Shah and his accomplice under several sections of the PPC, including attempted murder. Authorities also stated that Shah was in possession of an unlicensed firearm, for which a separate case will be registered.
Earlier that day, protests had erupted in Umerkot, with demonstrators demanding Shah’s immediate arrest. Protesters blocked roads and burned tires, calling for strict action against the accused. Following Shah's death, a video circulated on social media in which a person in Mirpurkhas Civil Hospital praised the police for killing Shah, referring to him as a "blasphemer sent to hell."
In a disturbing aftermath, a mob seized Shah’s body from his family and set it on fire before they could bury him. The family had to flee to avoid further violence, and after several failed attempts, Shah’s body was eventually taken by the mob and desecrated.
Shah's family, including his three sons, daughter, and widow, claims that he had been suffering from a mental disorder and was under treatment for the past four years. His nephew, Dr. Shahid, a psychiatrist in the UK, confirmed his condition, adding that Shah had been receiving regular medication for his illness.
This incident follows a similar case in Balochistan on 12 September, where Abdul Ali, held for blasphemy at Quetta Cantt police station, was killed by a police officer. These cases have drawn nationwide attention, sparking debate over the extrajudicial actions taken in blasphemy cases and highlighting the need for judicial processes to prevail.
Human rights organizations have condemned both incidents, calling for an end to extrajudicial killings and a commitment to ensuring justice is delivered through courts. They argue that such actions further undermine Pakistan's already controversial blasphemy laws, which are often misused and disproportionately affect religious minorities.
