Junaid Hafeez is an English lecturer in Bahauddin Zakriya University in Multan. Junaid Hafeez was charged with blasphemy by a religious students’ group after he allegedly posted blasphemous comments on his Facebook page. During court hearings on 9 April, Rashid Rehman, his attorney and human rights defender was openly threatened by some men, including a lawyer for the prosecution, in the presence of the judge hearing the case against Junaid Hafeez. Rashid Rehman was shot dead in front of colleagues in his office in the city of Multan, Punjab province, on 7 May. One of his associate advocates, and a client were also shot and seriously injured. A witness said two unknown young men entered Rashid Rehman’s office, which is inside the building of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on the busy Kutcheri Road, and fired several shots. Rashid was hit by five bullets and died of his injuries in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Rashid Rehman had been associated with the HRCP for over 20 years and was a Punjab Regional Coordinator for Multan. Despite the risks and threats, Rehman took up the case of Junaid Hafeez. 

Amnesty International Urgent Action