By Riaz Hussain
Judge Aqeel Ajiz of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Mardan honorably acquitted the accused involved in the murder case of Mufti Nigar Alam. Mufti Nigar alam was lynched and killed on May 6, 2023 after a political rally of Pakistan tehreek Insaf in Sawaldher Mardan.
Mufti Nigar Alam, who was present on stage, mistakenly used blasphemous words while making the closing prayer.
The enraged crowd,took the law into their own hands and killed Mufti Nigar Alam. The Fir was registered against 83 people by the state at that time.
SHO Jabar police station Fawad Khan, and DSP Fazal Sher Khan attempted to rescue the accused but were injured in the process, along with other police personnel.
The official police vehicles were also damaged. Stated at that time in the FIR. The lawyer of the accused Zain ul abeddin toro advocate told cross border news 44 accused has been acquitted in the case did not provide evidence by the state in this case. He told total 83 people named in the FIR and 20 has already been released and 16 person are absconders in the case.
Due to a lack of evidence, the court dismissed charges against 23 accused individuals. The remaining defendants were represented by Mardan’s renowned lawyer, Advocate Zain-ul-Abideen toro of the High Court.
After the trial, Judge Aqeel Ajiz of the Anti terrorism court Mardan acquitted 44 accused individuals, while 16 suspects remain at large.
Meanwhile the main accused in the murder case, Mufti Irfan, reached a settlement with Mufti Nigar Alam’s family through the mediation of tribal elders. He paid Ra 3.5 as a Diyat to Nigar family .
As a result, the victim’s family did not pursue the case.
Additionally, due to insufficient evidence and lack of substantial arguments regarding the attack on police officers and damage to government vehicles, the court acquitted the 44 accused with hounor.
According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), between 1987 and February 2021, at least 1,855 individuals were charged under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of State reported that in 2023, at least 329 individuals were accused of blasphemy, compared to 171 in 2022. These statistics indicate a significant number of blasphemy cases in Pakistan, with a notable increase in recent years.
