Sialkot lynching: PM announces Tamgha-e-Shujaat for man who attempted to save Sri Lankan manager

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday announced to award Tamgha-e-Shujaat to a man who attempted to save Sri Lankan manager from getting lynched by a frenzied mob in Sialkot.

49-year-old factory manager Priyantha Kumara Diyawadanage was killed by a mob over blasphemy allegations, in an ultimate display of insanity his body was set on fire. The horrific killing drew widespread condemnation from all segments of the societry, including government officials and human rights bodies.

Read more: Sialkot lynching: Diyawadanage remains handed over to Sri lankan ambassador

The premier in his announcement on Twitter said that: “On behalf of the nation I want to salute moral courage & bravery of Malik Adnan who tried his utmost to shelter & save Priyantha Diyawadana from the vigilante mob in Sialkot incl endangering his own life by physically trying to shield victim,” adding, “We will award him Tamgha-e-Shujaat”.

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On behalf of the nation I want to salute moral courage & bravery of Malik Adnan who tried his utmost to shelter & save Priyantha Diyawadana from the vigilante mob in Sialkot incl endangering his own life by physically trying to shield victim. We will award him Tamgha i Shujaat

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 5, 2021

Initial report sent to PM

An initial inquiry report of the lynching incident, finalised by Punjab Law Minister Basharat, had been sent to PM Imran and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, a Bol News report on Saturday quoted sources as confirming.

The Sialkot incident took place on the Wazirabad Road where most of the factories are located.

As per the report, the incident happened at 11 am, in the absence of factory owners, and at least 120 people were arrested for their involvement in the attack.

The sources also claimed that a delegation of foreign companies had to visit the factory on Friday. Therefore, Kumara had asked his employees to clean the machines and remove religious stickers pasted on them. Some people were unhappy with the factory manager for his discipline and the way, he made them do work, added the sources.