QUETTA: Two lawyers, including the Quetta Bar Association president, have filed the bail application of a police constable who killed an under-custody blasphemy suspect.

The bail application of Saad Khan Sarhadi was filed in a local court on Friday after his family handed over the case to QBA president Qari Rehmatullah Khan Advocate.

After the initial hearing on Friday, the court ad­­journed further proceedings till September 25.

The accused was arrested for killing Abdul Ali alias Lala, who was being held at the Cantt police station.

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A case was registered against him at the same police station.

Some other lawyers have also announced that they will plead Mr Sarhadi’s case free of cost. Senator Abdul Shakoor Ghabizai of JUI-F has also announced to bear all legal expenses.

Meanwhile, the victim’s family, including his two sons and elders of the Nourzai trib, have announc­­ed not to pursue the murder case. They have also pardoned the police constable.

At a press conference, the victim’s two sons, Muhammad Usman and Muhammad Wali, along with Haji Faizullah Noorzai, the chief of Nourzai tribe said, “The [victim’s] family and tribe have nothing to do with the act of blasphemy committed by Abdul Ali.”

The victim’s two brothers, Khair Muhammad and Bor Muhammad, were also present during the press conference.

“We have unconditionally pardoned the police official Saad Khan Sarhadi in the name of Allah,” the two sons said.

Mr Ali was arrested last week on the charges of desecrating the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) over the telephone. His alleged phone conversation was viral on social media, triggering sharp criticism and protests.

After the arrest, a mob gathered in front of the Kharotabad police station where the accused was being held initially. The protesters pelted the station’s building with stones and hurled a hand grenade, which exploded outside the police station.

After the accused was moved to the Cantt Police Station for safety reasons, the attacker arrived there and, after a brief conversation with the officers, opened fire on the suspect.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2024