Security concerns: Mashal's father requests case be transferred from Mardan to Peshawar

The case of Mashal's murder should be transferred from a Mardan court to the Peshawar High Court, the deceased's father, Iqbal, appealed during a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Monday.

As he belongs to Swabi, Iqbal said it would be difficult for him to make regular visits to Mardan, also because most of the people suspected of the killing live in the latter district and are influential. The deceased's father feared they would put his life in danger if he goes to Mardan frequently.

He also requested the provincial government to take care of the fees of the lawyers, saying he is a poor person who cannot afford to pay hefty sums to fight the case and does not have the habit of asking people for financial help. "If the provincial government does not help then I will have to take my request to the federal government."

While talking about the investigation into the case, Iqbal said he was satisfied with the JIT report, but wanted the case to be heard in the a military court. 

JIT chairperson issues challan over Mashal's murder 

The challan — charge-sheet — filed over the killing of Mashal has been sent to office of the district public prosecutor, from where it will be forwarded to the anti-terrorism court.

According to the police, the joint investigation team chairperson Shafiullah Gandapur sent the 1,600-page challan on Monday, in which the role of each accused person in the killing of Mashal has been described. Some were involved in pelting stones and hurling bricks at Mashal, while others wounded him by throwing a plant pot on his head, one of the persons in the mob also fired bullets at him – this has all been mentioned in the challan.

It will be sent to the anti-terrorism court, while the hearing of a suo motu notice taken by the Supreme Court will be held on June 7.

On Sunday, a complete inquiry report of the JIT revealed that members of the Pakhtoon Students Federation, the student wing of the Awami National Party, incited the mob to kill Mashal on the pretext of blasphemy. The report stated the murder was premeditated as the group was threatened by Mashal's activities because he would raise his voice against irregularities at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan.

Out of 60 people accused in the killing, 57 have been arrested while the remaining three are still at large. 

With additional input from Ashraf Khan in Mardan