MULTAN: A Pakistani guard shot and killed the manager of a local bank in eastern Punjab province on Wednesday after accusing him of insulting Islam's Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), police said.
As the guard, Ahmad Nawaz, was being arrested, he started chanting slogans of love for the prophet (pbuh). It drew the attention of locals who rushed to the scene and started hugging the guard in support.
Later, people, including from religious groups, surrounded the police station where Nawaz was being held in the town of Khusab, to express their support for the guard.
The family of the slain bank manager Imran Hanif denied he had committed blasphemy, insisting he loved the prophet (pbuh).
Blasphemy is a controversial issue in Pakistan, where people convicted of the crime can be sentenced to life in prison or the death penalty. Crowds and individuals often take the law into their own hands to target those they perceive as perpetrators of the offense.
A Punjab governor was killed by his own guard in 2011 after he defended a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, who was accused of blasphemy. She was acquitted after spending eight years on death row in a case that drew international attention. Faced with threats from extremists, she later flew to Canada to join her daughters.
Pakistani bank guard kills manager over alleged blasphemy
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Pakistani bank guard kills manager over alleged blasphemy
- The family of slain bank manager Imran Hanif denied he had committed blasphemy, insisting he loved the prophet
- Crowds and individuals often take the law into their own hands in Pakistan to target those they perceive as perpetrators of blasphemy
Pakistan deploys survey ship on joint marine research mission with China
- The joint oceanographic cruise aims to deepen understanding of Pakistan’s marine environment
- Research will improve understanding of coastal dynamics to support better maritime planning
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s navy on Tuesday announced deployment of a survey vessel named “Behr Masah” to support a joint Pakistan–China oceanographic cruise aimed at promoting marine research.
The oceanographic cruise represents scientific collaboration between Pakistan and China that focuses on enhancing understanding of the marine environment in Pakistani waters, according to Pakistan Navy.
The mission exemplifies a continued cooperative partnership between the two countries and will contribute to broader regional understanding of oceanographic conditions in the North Arabian Sea.
“The research outcomes are expected to increase awareness of coastal and offshore marine dynamics, enabling better assessment of environmental patterns and supporting informed maritime planning and policymaking,” Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
Pakistan and Chinese navies have worked closely through joint exercises, training and research initiatives to enhance maritime security, operational coordination and regional marine science.
Pakistan’s government also signed an agreement with China in 2015 for the acquisition of eight Hangor-class submarines. In December last year, Pakistan’s navy launched the fourth Hangor-class submarine named “Ghazi” at a Chinese shipyard in Wuhan.
