KARACHI: Sindh Home Ministere Zia-ul-Hasan Linjar confirmed that Dr Shah Nawaz-doctor from Umerkot was killed in staged police encounter.

Speaking at press conference here, he revealed that an investigation, aided by CCTV footage had concluded that encounter was fake. Officials involved in incident have since been suspended. Inquiry was initiated following allegations of extrajudicial killing in Umerkot, where police claimed that Dr Shah Nawaz had been involved in violent exchange of fire. However, inquiry committee-formed under directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah found that encounter was fabricated. Minister stated that Mirpurkhas police, along with CIA Mirpurkhas, were responsible for incident. “Upon confirmation that encounter was staged, responsible officials were immediately suspended,” said Linjar. “Family of Dr Shah Nawaz is free to file First Information Report against those involved, but if they do not, state will proceed with registering case.”

He confirmed that six FIRs related to case will be thoroughly investigated by newly appointed DIG of Mirpurkhas, who will chair inquiry committee. Case took dramatic turn last week when Dr Shah Nawaz was accused of posting blasphemous content on Facebook, triggering protests by religious groups in Umerkot. He was charged under Section 295C of Pakistan Penal Code. Police, however, denied arresting him in Karachi and claimed that Dr Shah Nawaz and his accomplices had opened fire on law enforcement officers, leading to retaliatory shootout in which doctor was killed.

Sindhiri SHO Niaz Khoso had earlier stated that Dr Shah Nawaz’s accomplice managed to escape during encounter. However, day before his death, Dr Shah Nawaz released video on social media claiming his account had been hacked and that he would never post offensive content. His family and supporters believe that he was victim of extrajudicial killing.