KARACHI – At least eight people, including the activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP), were shot dead on Sunday in the ongoing spree of assassinations in the metropolis. The traders in the Old City Area, the hub of trading activities in Karachi, announced to keep their businesses close as tension gripped the provincial capital after the killing of MQM workers in Haji Camp and Eidgah.
The killings have been reported in Sachal Goth, Eidgah, Peerabad, Super Market and Gulistan-Jauhar police stations which sparked violence in Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, Old City Area and Abul Hassan Isphahani Road. The enraged came out on the streets and pelted stones at the vehicles while a passenger bus was set ablaze in Eidgah area.
According to details, two masons were killed when some unidentified armed persons intercepted them and opened fire at Abul Hassan Isphahani Road during early Sunday morning. Officials in Sachal Goth Police Station said Hanif alias Haq and his colleague Ahmed Shah died on the spot. They were the residents of Metrovill-III, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and were on their way to work after having tea at a restaurant near Disco Bakery.
In other incidents, armed bike riders killed Younus, 40, in Haji Camp and Imran, 43, near Risala Police Station. The police termed the incidents as targeted killings and said both the victims were the activists of MQM. Another MQM worker Zahid, 25, was gunned down by two bike riders in the precincts of Super Market Police Station when he was sitting outside his house.
Separately, two ANP activists were targeted by unidentified persons in Qasba Colony in separate incidents. Nadir Shah, 30, was shot dead while he was playing cricket in a street and Alam Zaib, 30, was killed outside his house. Police said they were active workers of the ANP.
Another ANP worker was killed and two of his associates injured when unidentified men opened fire at the party’s office in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. Meanwhile, Atiq Mir, Chairman Karachi Tajir Ittehad, told Pakistan Today that they would shutdown their businesses and activities in Old City Area.
He said that there were some 200 markets in the locality and the traders were uncertain about future of their business. He said they were facing huge losses because of the clash of interest between the two ruling political parties. He demanded army’s intervention in Karachi’s affairs.
Karachi shooters claim 8 more lives
