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  • NA passes resolution condemning brutal killing of Mashal Khan

    National Assembly file photo National Assembly

    As Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Khursheed Shah called on lawmakers to present a united front against the "barbaric" lynching of Mardan university student Mashal Khan over alleged blasphemy, MNAs passed a unanimous resolution condemning Khan's murder on Tuesday.

    The resolution called for effective measures to ensure that the blasphemy law is not misused, including the imposition of "strong safeguards" into the blasphemy law "to prevent its abuse through such atrocities in the futureincluding by mobs involved in such crimes", the resolution.

    Lawmakers demanded the federal and provincial governments take strict action in accordance with law against the perpetrators and the facilitators of the lynching of Mashal Khan, including those propagating hate speech.

    Also Read:  No evidence of blasphemy found against Mashal Khan: IG KPK

    "This House condemns all those who take the law into their own hands and engage in vigilantism, resulting in loss of innocent human lives," the resolution read.

    Shah, prior to the tabling of the resolution, criticised the government's 'failure', noting that members of the federal government were not ready to issue statements in the Mashal Khan case.

    Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's condemnation of the lynching came two days after the horrific incident.

    Read More: Nation must be united in condemning Mashal Khan's murder: Premier Nawaz

    "The parliament should stand united and present a unanimous front against a barbaric act like this," Shah asserted. "It is the government and the opposition's responsibility to be united in the effort to save the country."

    Shah termed the democratic government's prerogative to complete its tenure a "ball and chain".

    "We can stand behind a dead democratic government but not behind a dictatorship," he said.

    "We do not want to see the leader of the country in a weak position," Shah maintained, cautioning lawmakers that "to comment on the country's institutions is dangerous."