Peshawar man arrested over derogatory remarks about Holy Quran

Peshawar police apprehended a man after a mob chased him through the streets. The suspect was accused of making derogatory remarks about the Holy Quran during a heated argument with his brother.

According to VOA Urdu, police officer Nasir Khan said the man, identified as Humayun Ullah, was arrested in the Khazana area on the outskirts of Peshawar.

Khan added that the man was arrested by police before the mob could reach him.

Police said they had received information that a mob was trying to kill the accused.

Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of people blocking a road near a police station, demanding the accused be handed over.

Gunshots were heard near the police station, where the man was being detained for questioning. 

He said some protesters hurled stones at the police station and threatened to set it on fire and harm officers if the man was not handed over to them.

Under Pakistan's blasphemy laws, anyone convicted of insulting Islam or religious figures can be sentenced to death. However, the authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy.

Earlier, doctor Shahnawaz was killed in a staged police encounter in Mirpurkhas, a day after a blasphemy case was registered against him. 

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar confirmed the encounter was fake.