Pakistani civil society members and university students shout slogans and wave placards as they protest against the killing of Mashal Khan a journalism student, in Islamabad. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Exactly one year ago, a 23-year-old boy was lynched by an enraged mob at the Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan, where he was pursuing higher studies, over accusations of false blasphemy made by fellow students. He was stripped, shot and beaten till his last breath. In fact, a graphic video of the incident also showed the mob kicking his lifeless body. The incident sent shock waves across the country. On the first anniversary of his death, we decided to honour his life in numbers.
2017
was the year Mashal Khan was brutally killed by an enraged mob over false accusations of blasphemy
23
was his age when he was attached and murdered at Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan
15
was the number of hours he would dedicate per day to reading, according to his father Iqbal Jan in an interview with Dawn
61
were the number of suspects been charged in connection with his case, as reported by Al-Jazeera
1
culprit involved in the lynching was awarded the death penalty
5
of the accused were sentenced to life imprisonment
74
is the number of people who have been killed in Pakistan over alleged blasphemy since 1990, reported Al-Jazeera
