Blasphemy: Pakistan bank manager shot dead by security guard

Malik Imran Hanif, the manager of the National Bank of Pakistan's branch in Quaidabad tehsil of Khushab, was shifted to a local hospital after he was shot by the guard from a rifle, reports Dawn News.

He was later taken to Lahore where he reportedly died at the Services Hospital.

Khushab District Police Officer (DPO) retired Capt Tariq Wilayat told Dawn it would be premature to comment on the motive behind the murder, but confirmed that the security guard, who was arrested after the incident, had claimed to have killed Hanif over blasphemy.

In a video of the suspect that was shared on social media, the guard could be heard saying that the deceased manager had "insulted the prophet", reports the Pakistani newspaper.

Police have started investigating the incident.

Speaking to Dawn, police sources also expressed doubt over the guard's claim that he had killed the manager over blasphemy. They suggested that the guard had committed the murder due to personal grievances.

No first information report (FIR) of the incident has been registered as yet. Police said they would lodge the FIR upon receiving a complaint from the deceased's family, who were transporting his body back to Khushab from Lahore, the newspaper reported.

A post-mortem of the body is likely to take place.

Videos shared on Twitter showed the guard being greeted by a crowd of supporters after killing the manager. The security guard and the mob then raised slogans as they walked on the street, reports Dawn News.

The suspect was then joined by the leaders of a religious group, all of whom raised slogans and addressed supporters from the rooftop of the Quaidabad Police Station. Police personnel could be seen standing nearby recording videos, the Pakistani newspaper reported.