Quetta blasphemy suspect’s family forgives police officer accused of killing him

The family of a blasphemy suspect who was killed in police custody in southwestern Pakistan has announced they will not pursue legal action against the police officer accused of his murder, stating that they have forgiven him “in the name of God.”

Abdul Ali, also known as Sakhi Lala, aged 52, was shot dead last week in a high-security police station in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province.

The assailant, police officer Saayd Mohammad Sarhadi, allegedly gained access to the station by pretending to be a relative of Ali, according to police reports.

Speaking at a press conference, Ali’s son Muhammad Usman, alongside his brother and tribal elders, declared the family’s decision to forgive Sarhadi. "We will not fight the case," Usman said, emphasizing their choice to pardon the officer for religious reasons.

Another elder, Faizullah Noorzai, echoed this sentiment, stating that the tribe would publicly disown Ali, adding, "We and our families are the kind of people who would sacrifice their lives for the sake of the Prophet Muhammad and his honor."

Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, where it is legally punishable by death. While the state has never carried out an execution for blasphemy, many accused individuals have been killed by mobs before ever facing trial.

Such vigilante killings are often celebrated in certain segments of society, with the alleged killers viewed as defenders of the faith. Following Ali’s killing, the father of the accused officer, Haji Daad Muhammad, has reportedly been receiving visitors at his home, where many have come to offer their respects for his son’s actions.

International organizations, including the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, have criticized Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, citing the country as one of the strictest and most frequent enforcers of such legislation.