BBC News
December 5, 2021
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has said that Malik Adnan will be awarded the Medal of Courage for the person who tried to save the life of Sri Lankan citizen Priya Natha by killing her by the angry mob in Sialkot.
In his tweet,Imran Khan said, “On behalf of the entire nation, I would like to salute the bravery and moral courage of Malik Adnan, who risked his life in Sialkot to shelter Priyantha Diavadna and shield himself. He tried his best to save them from the fanatics. We will award him the Medal of Courage. "
Priya Natha, a Sri Lankan man working as a manager in a factory in Sialkot in Punjab province, was burnt to death on Friday after being beaten to death by an angry mob for blasphemy. According to reports, his body will be flown from Lahore to Colombo on Monday.
Malik Adnan, the factory's production manager, was one of the few people who begged and was beaten to save Priya Natha's life in front of an angry mob.
A Sialkot police spokesman also praised Malik Adnan's bravery and said he was assisting in the investigation and providing security.
Became a wall in front of people for the sake of humanity
Priyantha, a Sri Lankan citizen, had been working as an export manager at the Sialkot factory since 2012.
According to the Punjab government's preliminary investigation report, the controversy started when Priyantha, a strict factory manager of Discipline, demanded removal of religious stickers, which angered the employees.
According to eyewitnesses, when the mob became enraged, the Sri Lankan manager was tortured inside the factory.
On this occasion, some people including production manager Malik Adnan tried to persuade them so that this issue could be resolved in some way.
Speaking to local media, Malik Adnan said that he was grateful to Imran Khan for announcing the Medal of Courage.
He added that he wanted to save his colleague for the sake of humanity and that is why he became a wall in front of the Sri Lankan citizen when 40 to 50 people came to kill him.
Malik Adnan added that he was also injured during the incident. He said that Priyantha was honest and strict in terms of duty.
When I got there at the noise, forty, fifty people were coming up towards them. I ran upstairs to save Priyantha. Priyantha had injuries on her head and face before I arrived.
When I got there, I lay down on top of Priyantha. I was also a victim of violence. "
He said that he begged the society to save Priyantha but "I am sorry that I could not save Priyantha's life."
'Mother applauds'
Malik Adnan has been working in this factory since 2005. He had known Priya Natha since 2014.
Malik Adnan told journalist Muhammad Zubair Khan that after the incident, his mother hugged him and applauded him.
"These were the most precious moments of my life when my mother complimented me."
Malik Adnan says he was his shield to save Priyantha but unfortunately could not save her
"I am deeply saddened by the death of Priyantha," he said. I will never forget Priya Natha for the rest of my life.
Malik Adnan says he asked Priya Natha to leave but by then people in the office had arrived with sticks and canes.
Malik Adnan says that humanity has been the biggest religion for him since childhood.
I also tried to convince them that it would not only destroy the company and the people but also tarnish Pakistan's image," he said.
In a video, Malik Adnan can be seen negotiating with the group outside the factory. We will not keep it in the factory, we will get a leaflet on it," he tells them.
In the video, he tries to persuade them, "We will expel him from the country." We will get him out of here. 'But these people do not listen to him and some of the people here are chanting slogans inciting the mob to violence.
According to eyewitnesses,during their protest outside the factory, a large number of people re-entered the factory and not only tortured Priya Natha but also set her on fire.
Meanwhile, according to Sialkot police spokesman, Malik Adnan is currently in a safe place. He said that Sialkot police had already become aware of his bravery and sacrificial role during the incident after which he was being assisted in police investigation. "They cooperated fully with the police."
According to police, Malik Adnan and his associates have been provided full security at the moment. They are being given the opportunity to have a good time with their families and come out of the very negative effects of the incident.
According to a police spokesman, the injured Malik Adnan and his companions are in a stable condition.
Police have so far arrested more than 100 people in connection with the case, while "Adnan Iftikhar, who was involved in the tragic incident, has also been arrested."
According to police, the video of the accused went viral on social media. He made a provocative video of the killing of a Sri Lankan citizen and went viral.
"People like Malik Adnan are a ray of hope"
After Imran Khan's announcement, a large number of people on social media are paying tribute to Malik Adnan.
According to journalist Amna Jabeen, "you don't have to be extraordinary to be a hero ... Malik Adnan deserves this award (Medal of Courage). The best decision. "
Actress Mansha Pasha says, "Malik Adnan represents the best people in the country. He risked his life to save someone else."
May Allah protect them. They are examples of bravery and compassion. "
However, Sadia Ahmed says that Malik Adnan was one but the number of angry people was around 900. He is not the real face of Pakistan. The angry mob is in the majority.
"People like Malik Adnan help me to have hope in this nation," she said. They know it's not a losing battle. "
According to journalist Rauf Klasra, Malik Adnan is the real hero. "They are braver than the entire state, top leaders and security officials."
