Punjab police on Sunday arrested six more accused of their primary role in the lynching of the Sri Lankan national in Sialkot over blasphemy allegations on Friday.
In a tweet, the Punjab police said that it used CCTV footage and mobile call data to identify these suspects over the past 12 hours. These suspects were hiding in their relatives’ homes, they added.
The police said according to the initial investigations, out of 124 suspects, 19 accused played a primary role in the lynching.
On Saturday, the police had said that at least 120 people were arrested in connection with the brutal killing of Priyantha Kumara by a mob of hundreds of people.
The police had booked at least 800 people under Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for their involvement in the lynching.
FAWAD CHAUDHRY: In a press conference, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the murder of the Sri Lankan national in the name of blasphemy was shameful for the entire country.
He said Pakistan is a progressive country and its institutions are strong, adding that the issue of extremism doesn’t concern one party alone.
According to him, the rule of law was essential for democracy in Pakistan and all political parties needed to be on the same page regarding this issue.
TAHIR ASHRAFI: In a separate press conference alongside the leaders of the religious minority communities in Lahore, Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi said the police were still making arrests in the case.
He said all the accused in the case will be tried in the anti-terrorism courts and justice will be served in the case.
