Justice and the mob

The horrifying Mashal Khan lynching case continues to haunt the people of Pakistan. At the time, tall claims were made that justice would be done and that Pakistan would make an example out of those who lynched the idealistic college student. However, once the case began, one after another of the accused were let go. First, an Anti-Terrorism Court only sentenced 25 of the accused to three years in jail. Later, the Peshawar High Court even suspended these sentences. The individuals in question are then reported to have received a hero’s welcome in their home towns. It is almost ridiculous that one must repeat that Mashal was not found guilty of committing blasphemy, despite the fact that nowhere in the laws of the land is mob lynching sanctioned. On the contrary, in such cases the demand must be to hold to account any and all who had facilitated and participated in such a brutal murder. And the judicial system is where such matters must be addressed.

In the only good news in this case recently, the main accused, a PTI councillor who had absconded, has finally been arrested and put in physical remand. From the time of the lynching to date, it is really Mashal’s family – particularly his father, Iqbal Khan – that has shown the most resilience and courage by continuing to speak boldly. On Friday, Iqbal told a press conference that his family was not notified of the hearing where the PHC suspended the verdicts of 25 accused. He has asked the Supreme Court to take notice of the matter, and demanded a harsher punishment for those convicted of Mashal’s murder. The decision of the government lawyer to not object to the suspension of the sentence of the convicts has also been questioned. Disturbingly, Mashal’s teacher Ziaullah Hamdard – who had originally also spoken out in defence of the murdered student – has said he is facing threats from the family of one of the mob members who have been let loose by the court orders. One must also wonder whether it is sufficient for six individuals to be considered the main culprits for a mob lynching. If we can’t seem to prosecute such cases with clarity of mind, perhaps we need new legislation to deal with the issue of mob lynching. The Mashal Khan case will set a precedent. It must be the right one.