Lynching of Mashal Khan was pre-planned: JIT report

PESHAWAR (92 News) – The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe the lynching of Mashal Khan, a journalism student at Abdul Wali Khan University (AWKU), revealed that his murder was pre-planned and didn’t find any evidence of blasphemy against Mashal and his friends.

The 13-member JIT team, in its report, has made startling revelations regarding the lynching of Mashal Khan.

According to the report, the JIT could not find any evidence of blasphemy against Mashal Khan and his friends Abdullah and Zubair.

The report further stated that university’s journalism department student Imran fired shots at Mashal Khan.

As many as 57 persons out of 60 indicated in the case have been arrested, while prime accused Counselor Arif and his accomplices are still at large.

“The varsity employees hired on political basis have criminal records,” the report added.

Univeristy Employees Union president Ajmal Mayar, the accused arrested in connection with the case revealed during the investigation that the varsity’s student federation president Sabir Mayar talked to him about the killing of Mashal, saying that he had become a danger for the party.

The report stated that Mashal Khan was outspoken about irregularities committed by the university administration, more particularly the appointments of incompetent and unqualified persons on political basis, adding that the culture of drugs and bringing weapons were a norm at the university.

Questions have been raised on the university’s security and the performance of the police during the investigation, while the JIT has also suggested a high level inquiry to check the performance of the police.