English teacher targeted and killed on blasphemy allegation in Turbat

Trigger warning: Murder

A teacher linked to a language center was shot and killed by unidentified armed men in Turbat town, Kech district. Abdul Rauf, a 22-year-old English teacher, was attacked near a graveyard in the Malikabad area while on his way to an ulema jirga to address allegations of blasphemy.

Students of the language centre had accused Rauf of committing blasphemy during a lecture, which gained attention on social media. Sudhir Ahmed, the centre’s principal, stated that ulema visited to listen to both sides, with Rauf denying the allegations and apologising for any objectionable words.

Despite the attempt to resolve the matter, Rauf was killed before reaching the jirga, attended by over 100 ulema. The police were informed, though the family did not file a case. The body was taken to their hometown, Bal Nagor, for burial.

A case against unknown individuals has been filed, and a special police team is investigating the incident. Authorities discourage spreading hate or unverified news on social media. Rauf was part-time teaching at the centre while studying at Turbat University.