Pakistan police clash with activists protesting killing of doctor accused of blasphemy

Police in Pakistan’s Sindh province on Sunday clashed with protesters outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) for violating a ban on public gatherings during demonstrations against the killing of blasphemy suspect Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar, local media reported.

Authorities in the port city imposed Section 144, a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period.

The ban was enforced after the Sindh Rawadari Committee, a human rights group, announced a protest demanding justice for Kunbhar, who was shot dead on Sept. 19 following accusations of spreading blasphemous content online.

Simultaneously, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) called for its own rally, raising fears of clashes between the two groups.

"We detained 20 to 25 people who attempted to stage illegal demonstrations," said Asad Raza, deputy inspector general of police for the South district. He added that protesters from both sides were taken into "protective custody."

Despite the ban, television footage showed that hundreds of activists from the Sindh Rawadari Committee defied restrictions and gathered at KPC. Police responded with baton charges, resulting in further unrest.

In a statement Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said that it was greatly concerned to learn that at least 37 protestors — including women — associated with the Sindh Rawadari March have been arrested by the Karachi police while attempting to hold a peaceful assembly to demand justice for the murder of Dr Shahnawaz Kunbhar.

It said that the police have also attempted to arrest HRCP chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt and warned him not to speak to the press. “We fear further arrests through the day,” it added.

“The Sindh Rawadari March includes progressive voices from across the province, Sindh, including human rights defenders, trade unions and feminist movements, whose right to protest is protected by the Constitution.”

The statement said that those arrested must be released unconditionally and the Sindh Rawadari March must be allowed to continue its assembly at the Karachi Press Club unhindered.

“The conduct of the police, who have baton-charged and assaulted protestors, including young women, is inexcusable. The Sindh government must take immediate notice of this incident. All those arrested must be released immediately and unconditionally,” it concluded.

Last month, police shot and killed Dr Kunbhar in Mirpurkhas, just a day after he was booked for allegedly posting blasphemous content on Facebook, a charge that he denied.

Dr Kunbhar had been charged under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code a day before he was killed after local religious groups staged protests demanding action.

According to reports, the doctor had fled to Karachi but was later arrested by Umerkot police and transported to Mirpurkhas. It was here that he was allegedly killed in an “encounter” with the Sindhri police, though law enforcement has denied arresting him from Karachi.

Sindhri Station House Officer (SHO) Niaz Khoso confirmed the killing but insisted the doctor opened fire first. "He, along with accomplices, shot at the police. In retaliation, we fired back, and he was killed," Khoso said. The police claim one accomplice managed to escape during the “encounter”.

However, the case has sparked widespread outrage, with many questioning the police's version of events.

Dr Kunbhar had previously released a video on social media stating that his Facebook account had been hacked. “I could never imagine sharing blasphemous content,” Dr Kunbhar said in the video, denying the allegations.