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Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Condemns Lynching In Swat: Calls For Action Against Weaponizing Religion

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal denounced the lynching of a man in Swat over alleged desecration of the Holy Quran, highlighting the dangerous trend of using religion to justify mob justice and vigilantism. He urged Parliament to take decisive action against such incidents to prevent further damage to the nation's fabric.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal denounced the lynching of a man in Swat.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday condemned the lynching of a man in Swat, decrying the alarming trend of weaponizing religion to justify "street justice" and "vigilantism." The incident occurred on Thursday night in the Madyan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Swat district, where a mob killed a man accused of desecrating the Holy Quran. Eight people were injured during the unrest.

A police official reported that the incident was initially brought to the police station. However, a charged mob attacked the station, forcibly took the suspect, and set fire to both the station and a police vehicle. Videos circulating on social media showed a mob encircling a burning body in the middle of the road and a large crowd gathered outside the police station.

Why This Matters: During a budget debate in the National Assembly (NA), amid interruptions by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Minister Iqbal stressed the necessity for Parliament to take a stern stance against "mob justice." He lamented that such incidents have brought Pakistan "to the brink of destruction." 

"Another mob lynching has happened in Swat, and Pakistan is under scrutiny for it," he said. "If this was an isolated incident, we could move past it, but similar incidents have occurred in Sialkot, Jaranwala, and Sargodha," Iqbal noted, referring to previous cases where those accused of desecration were lynched by vigilante mobs.

Reflecting on his personal experience, Iqbal recalled an attempt on his life in 2018 when he was shot by a supporter of the religio-political party Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan. "I am grateful for a new lease on life after an extremist shot me," he said. "Even now, the bullet is in my body."

He emphasized the urgent need for national introspection and action, stating, "We must take notice of this incident as our nation is on the brink. We have now reached a point where we are using religion to justify mob violence and street justice, flagrantly violating the Constitution, the law, and the state."

Minister Iqbal's comments highlight the critical need for a unified response to address and curb the dangerous trend of mob justice driven by religious sentiments, to uphold the rule of law and ensure national stability.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minister Iqbal decries the mob killing over alleged desecration.
  • Mob attacked police, setting fire to station and vehicle.
  • Iqbal warns against using religion to justify mob violence.
  • Urges Parliament to address the rise in vigilante justice.
  • Similar lynching incidents noted in Sialkot, Jaranwala, and Sargodha.

Pakistan Swat