Allegations Of Muhammad Ismail Of Sialkot, Punjab Committing Blasphemy
In a horrific incident as of Thursday, a video was circulated on the internet where a tourist from Sialkot, Punjab province was burnt alive in the middle of a road among an enraged crowd. The incident took place in Swat, Pakistan. The 40-year-old victim, named Muhammad Ismail, was faced with a brutal attack by a mob on allegations of desecrating the Quran.
Victim Was Dragged Through The Police Station And Lynched In The Middle Of The Road
The victim was first taken to the police on account of committing Blasphemy at a local market. A mob later took over the police station demanding the police to hand over the accused to them. On refusal by the police, the mob dragged Muhammad Ismail through the Madyan Tehsil of Swat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, before he was lynched outside on the road.
A Statement From The Victim’s Mother
Reportedly, the tourist had been staying at a local hotel in Madyan since June 18. Upon allegations, his family refused any ties with the man. Ismail’s mother later in a statement talked about him residing in Malaysia and mentioned his marital issues. She also accused him of assault and drug addiction.
Mob Lynching Incident Not The First In Recent Times In Pakistan
This horrendous act led to five police officers and eleven civilians getting hurt. The Pakistani police have begun a legal procedure against individuals involved in the lynching of Ismail. The Swat District Police Officer (DPO) reported that members of the mob also set fire to the police station and a police vehicle before they burnt the man alive. This tragic incident of lynching over Blasphemy is the second in the last few weeks in Pakistan. A month ago a man was killed in Sargodha due to similar allegations.