Imran commends KP police performance in Mashal, Asma cases

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan heaped praise on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police for solving two important murder cases, one involving murder of a minor girl and the other linked to brutal lynching of a varsity student Mashal Khan in Mardan.

The commendation by the PTI chief followed a press conference by the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Mardan Dr Mian Saeed, at which the officer told newsmen that the police have arrested the prime suspect, 15-year-old Muhammad Nabi, in Asma murder case, along with another suspect who had knowledge of the alleged murderer’s actions.

The PTI chief took to Twitter to praise the work of KP Police in the case.

“Commendable work by the professional KP police force. In the Asma case, with just one spot of blood found & no other evidence, no CCTV footage, KP police worked professionally to catch culprit showing they have developed advanced forensic detection capability as well,” he tweeted.

“Nor was there any political gloating by CM. Instead, as is done all over the democratic world, the police chief gave a professional press briefing,” he continued, drawing a comparison between the KP Police and the police forces of Punjab and Sindh.

Khan also lauded the provincial police department for bringing a "murderous mob under the ambit of the law" in the Mashal Khan case.

Mashal, 23, was lynched by an angry mob at Abdul Wali Khan University on the pretext of committing blasphemy on April 13, 2017. However, investigators found no proof of blasphemy and ruled that the murder was politically motivated.

"After court verdict on Mashal case, KP police has once again shown it's professionalism by bringing a murderous mob under the ambit of the law," the PTI chief said. "This is the first time in Pakistan where police has been successful in bringing the main accused plus other mob members to justice."

He said that both the Asma & Mashal cases have shown how a professional, model police force goes about its work efficiently and delivers solid results, despite media & political criticism, describing KP police as a "role model" for other provinces.

Khan also commended members of the prosecution team for their untiring efforts in Mashal Khan case.

In the press conference earlier, Mardan RPO said that suspect Nabi worked in a local restaurant and was also a relative of the deceased.

Nabi, with his face covered, was also presented before the media.

KP Police claim arrest of prime suspect in Asma murder case

KP Police says that the case was resolved by tracing a drop of blood on a leaf in the sugarcane field where the minor was killed

RPO Saeed said that the case was resolved by tracing a drop of blood on a leaf in the sugarcane field where the minor was killed.

The official said that fingerprint traces of the suspect were found on the neck of the deceased, adding that the weapon used for the crime had also been recovered.

Dr Saeed informed that the suspect attempted sexual assault on the four-year-old in the sugarcane field but the minor resisted by shouting for help. In reaction, Nabi killed the minor by strangulation.

The other suspect’s name is Fawad, and he has been identified as a close associate of the primary suspect.