Karachi: Four including MQM MPA killed in Orangi
18 January, 2013
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement MPA Syed Manzar Imam was killed along with three of his guards in an ambush in Orangi Town on Thursday.
According to police at least four unidentified armed pillion riders intercepted the MQM lawmaker's vehicle near Nishan-e-Haider Chowk and fired a volley of bullets at it. The shooting left four people, including 43-year-old Imam, his driver and a security guard. Their bodies were taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medicolegal formalities. Following the news of the killing, a large number of activists and leaders of the MQM rushed to the hospital.
The funeral of the provincial lawmaker and his guards will be held at Jinnah Ground today after Friday prayer and he would be buried in Shuhada Qabristan in Yasinabad. MQM Co-ordination Committee Member Wasay Jalil, while talking to our sources, said that Imam was elected to the Sindh Assembly from the provincial constituency PS-95 Orangi Town, in 2008 general elections. The deceased had been affiliated with the MQM since 1986 and held many responsibilities and was considered a senior worker of the party.
He has left behind a widow, two children, two brothers, three sisters and his mother. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the killing of Imam. TTP Spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, in a statement from an undisclosed place, claimed the responsibility for the attack on the MPA. The group also claimed responsibility for attack on MQM's rally in Karachi on January 1, which killed four persons and injured 50 others.
Meanwhile, seven vehicles were torched as panic spread in the city following the murder. Routine life in the city was paralysed soon after the assassination.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain has expressed his profound grief and sorrow on the killing of the MQM MPA and his guards. In a statement issued on Thursday, he said that the cowardly attack was a vicious attempt to destroy peace in Karachi. He asked the MQM workers and the people not to get provoked and urged them to understand and foil the conspiracy of the elements that want to create a law and order situation in the city.
Altaf demanded the federal and provincial governments and heads of the law enforcement agencies to take immediate notice of the murders. He said that the killers must be brought to justice. He offered heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and said that their grief was equally shared and felt by each worker of the MQM.
Volatile situation in Karachi, Hyderabad
Violence has erupted in several areas of Karachi and Hyderabad. Aerial firing has been reported in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Petrol pumps and CNG stations along with other businesses have begun to shut down in the city.
A woman was killed as firing was reported from several areas of Hyderabad. Shops were also forced to shut down in the city.
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain appeals for calm
Following the death of Manzar Imam, MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealed for calm. Hussain said the murder of Manzhar Imam was an attempt to destroy the peace of Karachi. The MQM chief added that by staying calm, people would put an end to the strategy of the terrorists to destablise the city.
Three days of mourning have also been announced by the MQM.
Educational Institutions, Transport Closed on Friday
Following the outbreak of violence in Karachi, the private schools association has announced that schools would remain closed on Friday. Exams scheduled at the University of Karachi have also been postponed.
Meanwhile public transport in the city will also be suspended on Friday due to the security situation.
End.
|
