KARACHI – Twenty-one people were killed and over 30 injured in a day in the latest wave of targeted violence in the country’s financial capital.
Taking notice of the killing spree, the Karachi CCPO suspended station house officers (SHOs) of Korangi Industrial Area, Malir City, Malir, Azizabad, Landhi and Gulberg police precincts over their failure to control criminal activities in respective areas. On Friday, incidents of violence erupted in Banaras, Qasba Colony and some parts of Orangi Town, with the areas echoing with gun fire for several hours. Meanwhile, ANP Sindh chapter announced a three-day mourning for Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar, who was gunned down on Thursday. All offices of the ANP in Karachi would be closed for three days to mourn the killing. ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed made the announcement in a press conference at his residence.
He said that the ANP has great respect for the brave journalist, which was why the party had decided to mourn his death. Syed appealed to the chief justice of the Supreme Court to take action against the targeted killings in the metropolis. He said political activists were being targeted in the city for a long time and demanded action against target killers without discrimination. On the other hand, MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari blamed the ANP for the current spate of killings in Pehlwan Goth and Gulistan-e-Jauhar areas of Karachi, accusing the party of destroying the city’s peace. Addressing a press conference at MQM headquarters Nine Zero, Sabzwari said innocent people, especially Urdu-speaking citizens, were being targeted in Karachi. Demanding the government take action against those involved in targeted killings, he said ANP leaders were blaming the MQM to save themselves.
