PESHAWAR: A new video circulating on Tuesday contains footage of scenes following the Mardan university lynching, showing a man demanding
that a group of students take an oath to conceal the identity of the man who shot 23-year-old
Mashal Khan.
In the footage, PTI councillor Arif allegedly warned the mob not to disclose the name of the shooter. The video shows
that mob congratulating each other for killing
Mashal, besides warning law enforcers not to nominate them in the FIR. The video was recorded after the death of
Mashal who was first fired upon and later lynch
ed by the mob. In the footage, Arif can be heard proclaiming
that anyone who names the shooter will be considered “a blasphemer”.
Th
e declaration appears to be a veiled threat to silence
those who may testify against the murder and protect the main culprits. Arif names himself and his father and states
that anyone who wished to lodge a first information report in the case is free to nominate him for the murder.
According to university students, Arif does not attend Abdul Wali Khan University, but has been allowed on the premises on several occasions. The video surfaced at a time when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief visited the house of
Mashal to express condolence with his family, where he vowed to give strict punishment to
those involved in the brutal murder. Meanwhile, the administration of Abdul Wali Khan University on Tuesday suspended seven of its employees in connection with the murder of
Mashal Khan.
