Quetta: An elderly man, Abdul Ali, was shot dead by a policeman inside Quetta’s Cantt police station. Ali, a hotel owner, was arrested after a video surfaced online showing him making alleged blasphemous remarks about Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (finality of prophethood) and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). A case was filed against him under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code.
After his arrest, a large crowd gathered outside the Kharotabad police station, demanding Ali’s release. To ensure safety, Ali was moved to the Cantt police station. There, police constable Syed Khan Sarhadi shot him inside the lockup. Sarhadi used his own pistol, and he has since been arrested.
The body was examined by a police surgeon at a secure location instead of being sent to the civil hospital. Videos on social media show locals blocking Ali’s burial and celebrating the policeman’s actions. This incident is unusual in Quetta, marking the first time a police officer has killed a blasphemy suspect while in custody.
