KARACHI: Leaders of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Awami National Party (ANP) called for the army while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said it was considering various options, after 30 more people were killed in fresh violence in the financial hub of the country on Tuesday.
At least 13 people were killed when gunmen attacked Shershah Kabari Market in the evening, bringing the toll from a series of killings surrounding a by-election to nearly 50. The market is a densely populated commercial hub where used car parts and other items are sold at cheap prices. Witnesses said gunmen came on three motorcycles and two cars, adding that they opened fire the minute they parked their vehicles in the middle of the road, instantly killing several people.
“The attackers came on motorcycles and started indiscriminate firing, at least 11 people have been killed and several others injured,” Raja Riyasat, a police official, told AFP. “Once done, the attackers called each other to hurry back to their vehicles, and sped away in the direction of Gutter Baghicha,” one shopkeeper, who had managed to save his life, said.
Contingents of police and rangers arrived at the scene of the crime, but were pelted with stones by enraged protesters, who said the first to escape the attack were two police mobiles which were parked close by. Following the market attack, violence spread and seven more people were killed in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Nazimabad, Malir City, Baldia, Orangi Town, Garden and Arambagh, Radio Pakistan and Landhi.
Separately, a gunbattle was reported at 7pm after gunmen surrounded two shanty settlements in Malir City. The firing from both the sides was so intense that police and Rangers were unable to move into the affected area. Earlier in the day, nine people were killed in various parts of the city. Two deaths were reported in Orangi Town, two in Ranchore Lanes, two in Baldia Town, two in Malir City and one in Landhi.
Police also foiled an apparent abduction attempt in Malir City after they signalled a car to stop. However, the men riding the car fired at the police party and fled the scene. Police recovered Masroor Raza, Hussain, Wajahat and Shoaib, with their hands and feet tied, from the car. PPP leader Nabeel Gabol said the government had failed in maintaining law and order in the city and the army should be called to take charge of the situation.
ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed also made a similar demand, saying police and law enforcement agencies had failed to stop targeted killings in the city. Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza, however, said the government could impose curfew in the most affected areas of the city. Meanwhile, Babar Ghauri of the MQM said the party’s Rabta Committee was considering various options. Party chief Altaf Husain also condemned the killings and announced a one day-mourning.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani rang up Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza separately and discussed the latest law and order situation in Karachi. Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar also telephoned Gilani and discussed the incidents of targeted killings in Karachi.
The Sindh education secretary announced that all educational institutes in the city will remain open on Wednesday, while the All Karachi Tajir Ittehad announced that all markets will remain closed to mourn the Sher Shah attack.
