RECENT years have seen a disturbing rise in the extrajudicial killings of blasphemy suspects — sometimes in police custody. Such cases reveal the increasing complicity of law-enforcement officials in the perpetuation of religious extremism, often under the influence of radical elements in society.

Although cases of suspected blasphemy are supposed to go through a legal process, police officers have increasingly become enablers or direct participants in extrajudicial actions. A case last month exemplified this trend when Shahnawaz Kunbhar, a Muslim doctor from Sindh, was killed over blasphemy allegations. It was the second such killing within a week, following the murder of Abdul Ali in Quetta on Sept 12, 2024.

Police initially claimed that Kunbhar was killed during a shootout after allegedly opening fire at a checkpoint. However, when human rights groups raised questions about the police account, the official story changed. The authorities then claimed that Kunbhar had been shot by his colleague, who later fled. Local media, however, reported that the police had arrested Kunbhar and killed him in a staged encounter in Mirpurkhas. A video then surfaced showing the DIG in charge of the area, who reportedly oversaw the operation, being garlanded by religious leaders. This public celebration of an extrajudicial killing by senior law-enforcement officials highlights the deep-rooted extremism in the police force. Rights groups are outraged. Attorney Lazar Allahrakha stated: “When police officers start acting like vigilantes,........

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