Doctor Shah Nawaz Kunhbar’s Tragic Death in Pakistan After Blasphemy Accusations
Dr. Shah Nawaz Kunhbar, a doctor from Umerkot, Pakistan, was fatally shot by police in Mirpurkhas after being accused of blasphemy. On Wednesday, Umerkot police filed a case against him under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code for allegedly posting blasphemous content on Facebook, leading to protests by religious groups.
Shah Nawaz fled to Karachi but was later apprehended by Umerkot police and taken to Mirpurkhas. There, Sindhri police allegedly killed him in what they described as an ‘encounter.’ However, police denied that he had been arrested in Karachi. Sindhri Station House Officer (SHO) Niaz Khoso confirmed the suspect’s death, claiming that Shah Nawaz and his ‘accomplices’ fired on police officers. In response, police shot and killed the doctor, while his accomplice reportedly escaped.
A day earlier, Nawaz posted a video on social media declaring that his account had been hacked, and he would never share blasphemous content. The Medical Superintendent of Umerkot District Headquarters Hospital said the doctor was a committed professional who had been missing since September 12, potentially due to a ‘psychotic episode.’
Tensions escalated in Umerkot following the blasphemy allegations, with a large group of protesters gathering outside the press club on Wednesday. The demonstrators called for the doctor’s immediate arrest, setting a police vehicle on fire in the process. Following the ‘encounter,’ Shah Nawaz’s body was returned to his family, who took it to his home village of Janhero for burial. However, a mob descended on the family, attempting to seize the body, forcing them to flee. The family sought refuge in Nabisar Thar, but religious extremists pursued them, preventing the burial. They later returned to Janhero, hiding the body in a car, only for a mob to finally capture the corpse and set it on fire.
The deceased is survived by his widow, three sons, and a daughter. Family members and locals revealed that Nawaz had been suffering from a mental disorder for four years. His nephew, Shahid, a psychiatrist based in the UK, had been treating him and regularly prescribing medication. Mataro Hingorjo, a family physician practising in Ireland, said that Shah Nawaz was a ‘deeply religious person’ and an ‘intelligent, dedicated nationalist with a strong spiritual side, at least during his periods of mental clarity.’
Despite several attempts, SSP Mirpurkhas and other police officials were unavailable for comment.
Doubts Revealed
Blasphemy -: Blasphemy means showing disrespect or saying bad things about something that is considered sacred or holy in a religion.
Umerkot -: Umerkot is a city in Pakistan. It is known for its historical significance and cultural heritage.
Mirpurkhas -: Mirpurkhas is another city in Pakistan. It is located in the Sindh province and is known for its agriculture.
Desecration -: Desecration means treating something sacred or important with disrespect or violence.
Religious extremists -: Religious extremists are people who have very strong and often violent beliefs about their religion and may harm others who do not agree with them.
Mental disorder -: A mental disorder is a health condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, or behavior, making it hard for them to handle daily activities.
