No evidence of blasphemy found against Mashal Khan, says IG KP

PESHAWAR: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP) Salahuddin Khan Mehsud on Monday in a press conference said that police unable to find any concrete evidence of blasphemy charges against slain Mardan University student Mashal Khan and two of his friends, ARY News reported.

“Police did not find any evidence which could prove that Mashal Khan and his friends had committee blasphemy. The police went through the social media page administered by him and other profile posts which did not show any blasphemous content”, the IG KP said.

However, he said that several posts relating Mashal Khan surfaced in later hours of the murder for which police has sought help of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to have expert opinion on the matter.

Mehsud further said that 22 people have been arrested so far for their suspected involvement in the murder. “Twenty people were nominated initially in the FIR out of which 16 were arrested while six others were taken into custody in light of initial investigation”, he added.

Declining the police negligence, he said that police personnel in the footage helped rescuing the body as it was difficult to pacify the angry mob.

“The investigation is going on right direction”, he said while demonstrating confidence on the probe initiated by the police.

He also apprised the media persons that Abdullah, friend of Mashal Khan, has appeared before the court and his statement has been recorded under section 164.

Moreover, he said that police investigation was underway in a transparent manner without considering political affiliation of any culprit.