Family of Sri Lankan Lynching Victim Receives Money From Sialkot Businessmen
Narowal (Pakistan), Jan 18: The widow of Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara, who was lynched on blasphemy charges in Pakistan’s Sialkot last month, received $100,000 as financial aid and one month’s salary ($1,667) from Rajco Industries where he worked.
Rajco Industries transferred the money from the National Bank’s Sialkot District Court branch to a bank account held by Kumara’s widow, Dawn News reported.
According to media reports from last month, the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry had raised $100,000 to support Kumara’s family.
SCCI President Mian Imran Akbar said the organisation was taking appropriate measures to prevent future incidents similar to the one that resulted in Kumara’s lynching. He stated that foreign employees and businessmen would be protected.
“It is our responsibility to provide financial assistance to the affected family of the Sri Lankan citizen,” he added.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in a tweet appreciated the development.
Priyantha Kumara, working as a manager at a private factory in Sialkot, was tortured to death in December by a mob after being accused of blasphemy.
Police had arrested more than 100 suspects, including two described as the main accused, and registered a case in this regard. According to a handout issued by the Punjab police spokesman, a case has been registered under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act with the police as the complainant.
