An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Haripur on Tuesday indicted 57 people in the Mashal Khan lynching case, DawnNews reported.

Strict security measures were in place in the vicinity of Haripur jail where the trial was conducted and where the arrested men named in the case were presented before the ATC. The accused had been held in Haripur Central Prison.

A second hearing will take place tomorrow (Wednesday) in which the prosecution and defence will present their arguments. Mashal's father, Iqbal Khan, will appear before the court on Wednesday.

All those indicted in the case have pleaded not guilty.

In April, a vigilante mob, incited by rumours, had attacked Khan for allegedly "publishing blasphemous content online". The mass communication student, enrolled in Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM), was beaten and shot by the mob. He later succumbed to his injuries.

A report compiled by the 13-member joint investigation team probing the lynching stated that a group in AWKUM had incited a mob against the student on the pretext of blasphemy. It added that no proof was found that Mashal Khan had ever committed the offence.

In July, Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice Yahya Afridi had ordered the transfer of the murder case from Mardan to an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Haripur jail after Khan's father requested the move fearing his "influential adversaries".

Iqbal in his petition had also requested the PHC to pay his legal fee and asked the Supreme Court provide protection to his daughters, who haven’t been to school since Mashal’s murder.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...