Death of a young talented Baloch artist, initially reported as a slip fall accident, has now been confirmed as a planned murder over blasphemy allegations.
Qutub Rind, who hailed from Jacobabad, died on 17 July 2018 in Lahore. It was initially reported that Mr. Rind had fallen from a building.
However, according to latest information, Punjab police has apprehended two men in relation to Qutub’s death, who have confessed of killing him over blasphemy allegations.
The Killers have been identified as Waqas and Hassan.
Police has also confirmed that Qutub was badly beaten before being thrown from a building window.
Qutub, born in 1984, was an alumnus of prestigious National College of Arts Lahore, where he had achieved distinction in Major studio.
Qutub’s death is the latest violence linked to accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan.
Crimes related to blasphemy are a serious offense in Pakistan, and penalties range from small fines to the death sentence.
According to media reports, nearly 70 people have been murdered over blasphemy allegations since 1990. However, analysts believe the real number could be much higher.
A rare uproar against such killings was observed last year over lynching of university student Mashal khan in Mardan. But the related violence has never subsided.