The entire country has come a long way since the lynching of Mashal Khan. It was an event which was able to open the eyes of many who refused the spread of radicalism in the country.
It has been proven that Mashal Khan was an innocent man who lost his life because of baseless allegations
We have since then seen the dialogue around the misuse of the blasphemy law. The single event was also able to steer the legal structure of the country in a direction which punishes those who falsely accuse others of blasphemy.
Today marks the 24th birthday of Mashal and these Pakistanis made sure to remember him on this day
Mashal Khan’s birthday today and… this broke my heart. May no parents go through this pain – ever. pic.twitter.com/Wry28YrC94
— Shahbaz Zahid (@shahbazzahid) March 26, 2018
The fight to get justice for Mashal is still going on
Happy birthday Mashal Khan.@nayadaurpk 's call for #justiceforMashal from Sept last year, before acquittals of 26 accused students who were part of the violent mob that lynched Mashal to death over #blasphemy suspicion on April 13, 2017. https://t.co/aYNBp7B40A pic.twitter.com/GoNEtb8X3f
— Rabia Mehmood (@Rabail26) March 26, 2018
The likes of Khurram Zaki and Mashal Khan are paired together because of their fight against extremism
26th March marked the birthdays of two of the finest sons Pakistan has produced. Both were killed fighting extremism. Both lived like lions. Khurram Zaki and Mashal Khan. pic.twitter.com/O1a7MKqXdH
— Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi (@Ali_Abbas_Zaidi) March 26, 2018
His parents remain firm in their resolve to rid this land of extremism and to fight the fight of their son. Here’s a video of them remembering him on his birthday
Happy Birthday Mashal Khan #MashalKhan #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/6zXKnDl5MI
— mustafa (@Mustafa_Siddiqi) March 26, 2018
Many refer to him as Mashal Khan Shaheed
Happy birthday #MashalKhan pic.twitter.com/aTDcLzx8AJ
— SHAHID KHAN (@shdkhaan) March 26, 2018
He exists in all of us, his cause is ours, and the fulfilment of his mission is our duty
Mashal Khan is alive for ever, he exists in all of us.
— Hassan Parvez (@hparvezdcd) March 27, 2018
Mashal Khan’s case will be remembered for a long time. For those of you, who do not know, he was the Herald Person of the Year 2018. At the same time, after constantly being pushed by his family, civil society and human rights activists; the culprits involved in his death were brought before the court.
One person was sentenced to death, 5 were sentenced to 25 years in jail, 25 would be jailed for 4 years, while 26 had been let go without a punishment.
However Mashal’s death is still unavenged
25 individuals who were convicted were released on bail, whereas, another 26 were acquitted altogether.
After seeing how 26 accused were acquitted and how another 25 convicted were relased on bail and how all of them are being hailed as heroes Sabir Mayar one of the main accused in #MashalKhan has a lot to gain from surrendering to the police https://t.co/LWwU7IL3ox
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) March 20, 2018
At the same time, the punishments suggested by the court for those falsely accusing someone of blasphemy is nothing compared to the damage those allegations cause
Six months in prison along with a RS1000 fine is peanuts. Lives are lost due to the misuse of this law. The lawmakers of the country need to realize that and frame policies accordingly.
The penalty for blasphemy accusers only entails a maximum punishment of 6 months or a mere Rs1,000 fine which is ridiculous. The perpetrators of false accusation be given the same punishment as set for those convicted for blasphemy. https://t.co/Y1a8lC5meC
— Manzoor Chandio (@manzoor_chandio) March 6, 2018
Pakistan still has a long way to go. On this birthday of Mashal, let us pledge to further his cause and ensure justice in his case.
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