ISLAMABAD: The recent mob lynching of a local tourist accused of desecrating the Qur’an resonated in the National Assembly on Saturday as a prominent federal minister urged the house to devise a national strategy to prevent such violence in the future.
A tourist belonging to Pakistan’s Sialkot city was dragged from a police station by the mob in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday before being killed and set on fire. Such incidents are not uncommon in Pakistan where a mere accusation of blasphemy can lead to mob violence.
“If it had been an isolated incident, it might have been overlooked, but this is a series of events,” Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal told parliament. “It is my request to you that this assembly should take notice of this incident since our society is on the brink of disaster where street justice through mob lynching is done in the name of religion, trampling the constitution, law and all fundamental principles of the state.”
Iqbal suggested that the National Assembly constitute a special committee to review the causes behind such incidents and create a plan of action.
Last month, a Christian man in his seventies was attacked by a mob on charges of burning pages of the Qur’an and later died of his injuries in eastern Pakistan.
In 2021, a Sri Lankan factory manager was lynched in one of the highest profile incidents in the country. Six people were sentenced to death for their part in the lynching after the incident sparked global outcry.
Mob lynchings in spotlight in Pakistani parliament as top minister seeks national strategy
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Mob lynchings in spotlight in Pakistani parliament as top minister seeks national strategy
- A mob beat a tourist to death on Thursday night in Swat after accusing him of burning pages of the Qur’an
- Last month, a Christian man attacked by a mob on charges of burning Qur’an died of injuries in hospital
Pakistan Navy rescues Sri Lankan sailor in Indian Ocean operation
- Navy evacuates critically ill crew member 1,500 kilometer off the coast
- Rescue follows earlier Pakistan Navy relief role after Sri Lanka cyclone
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy said on Saturday it had carried out a long-range medical evacuation in the Indian Ocean, rescuing a critically ill Sri Lankan crew member from a foreign-flagged vessel around 1,500 kilometers off Pakistan’s coast.
The operation was launched after Sri Lanka’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center requested urgent medical assistance for a crew member aboard MV Grey Palm, an Indonesian-flagged cargo ship operating far from land, according to a statement issued by the navy’s public relations directorate.
“Pakistan Navy Ships TABUK and MOAWIN have successfully conducted medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of a Sri Lankan national requiring urgent medical attention ... on the high seas at 800 Nautical Miles (approximately 1500 KM) off Pakistan’s coast,” the statement said.
The navy said it deployed its ships as a first responder, evacuated the patient along with an attendant and provided immediate treatment onboard before continuing coordination with Sri Lankan authorities.
“The successful medical evacuation is yet another testament to operational readiness and long-standing commitment of Pakistan for the safety of life at sea, irrespective of nationality,” the statement added.
The rescue follows Pakistan Navy’s involvement in humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka last month after a powerful cyclone triggered flooding and landslides that killed more than 470 people, according to Sri Lankan authorities.
During that mission, Pakistani naval personnel helped evacuate a family stranded on a rooftop for several days and delivered relief supplies to affected communities.
