A joint Union Council-8 Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan in-charge was shot dead in New Karachi late Tuesday night, with police saying the killing appeared to be linked to a dispute over a rickshaw stand.
According to initial investigations by Bilal Colony police, 40-year-old Haji Shehzad was targeted near a tea stall [dhabba] close to Alam Pride in Surjani Town. Police said Shehzad had an ongoing dispute with certain individuals over the operation of a rickshaw stand, which may have led to the attack.
Investigators said that around 1.00am, six armed men riding three motorcycles arrived at the tea stall, with their faces covered, and opened indiscriminate fire.
Shehzad sustained a bullet wound to the ribs and was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in an Edhi ambulance. Due to a lack of facilities, he was later referred to Civil Hospital Karachi, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The deceased was a resident of New Karachi Sector 5-E, a father of four, and an employee of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, where he was posted at the pumping station near New Karachi Power House Chowrangi.
After legal formalities and an initial post-mortem at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, the body was handed over to the family.
Senior police officials, including SSP Central Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqui, visited the hospital and met the victim’s relatives. Police said a case would be registered in accordance with the family’s statement, and efforts were underway to arrest the suspects.
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Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Pakistan strongly condemned the incident, terming it an act of terrorism and a conspiracy to destabilise peace in Karachi.
In a statement, an MQM-Pakistan spokesperson said the party’s central committee expressed immense grief over the killing of Haji Shehzad, describing the attack as a cowardly act aimed at spreading fear in the city.
The spokesperson said that the law and order situation in Karachi was alarming and stressed that the protection of citizens’ lives and property must be ensured at all costs.
The party demanded that the Sindh chief minister, Sindh home minister, DG Rangers and IG Sindh take immediate and effective measures to arrest those involved in the shooting.Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express TribuneYaseen JabalpuriRead More
