Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Linjar confirmed on Thursday that Dr. Shah Nawaz, a doctor from Umerkot, was killed in a staged police encounter. During a press conference in Karachi, Linjar revealed that an investigation supported by CCTV footage proved the encounter was fabricated, and the officials involved have been suspended.
The inquiry was launched after claims of extrajudicial killing surfaced, with police originally alleging that Dr. Shah Nawaz was involved in a gunfight. However, the investigation, initiated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, found the encounter to be falsified. The Mirpurkhas police and CIA Mirpurkhas were identified as responsible for the incident.
Minister Linjar stated that the family of Dr. Shah Nawaz has the option to file an FIR, but the state will proceed with legal action if they do not. Six FIRs related to the case are also under review by the new DIG of Mirpurkhas, who will lead the investigation.
The situation intensified after Dr. Shah Nawaz was accused of sharing blasphemous content on Facebook, prompting protests from religious groups in Umerkot. He was charged under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code. Initial police reports claimed that Dr. Nawaz had fled to Karachi and later engaged in a shootout with Umerkot police, leading to his death. However, these claims have been disproven by the investigation.
Dr. Nawaz, who had been missing since September 12, was known as a dedicated doctor but had reportedly struggled with mental health issues. The day before his death, he posted a video online, stating that his account had been hacked and denying any involvement in sharing offensive content.
Following his death, an angry mob burned his body after it was handed over to his family. This tragic incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.
