Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has postponed his visit to Lyari over a fresh Kutchhi-Baloch clash in the town following the murder of a most-wanted Lyari gang war accused in Chakiwara on Sunday.
The Kalri police said 27-year-old Zubair Ghulam Rasool alias Wehshi, who was involved in the Lyari gang war and on the most-wanted criminals’ list, was kidnapped and then killed in Phool Patti Lane, Dubai Chowk.
Following the incident, another wave of violence gripped the town of Lyari, resulting in critical bullet wounds to at least seven men in a fresh Kutchhi-Baloch clash.
As fear and tension pervaded the town, all routine activities were disrupted and suspended, and a heavy contingent of law enforcers was deployed in the area to bring the situation under control.
Police said after Rasool was gunned down, a clash erupted between two groups – apparently Kutchhi and Baloch – and heavy exchange of gunfire reverberated through the town’s streets.
The law enforcers said Rasool was believed to be a cousin of Baba Ladla, one of the main accused of the Lyari gang war.
They said Rasool was wanted by the Kalri, Baghdadi, Chakiwara and Kalakot police in a number of cases.
Local PPP leader Zafar Baloch said some people associated with the Kutchhi Rabita Council were trying to disrupt peace ahead of the PPP chairman’s visit to Lyari Town.
He said only a small number of Balochi-speaking people were involved in the clashes, and not the entire Baloch community.
He termed the fresh wave of fear and tension in the town a conspiracy against the PPP and the people of Lyari.
He said he talked to Karachi Deputy Commissioner Mustafa Jamal Kazi who had assured him that strict action would be taken against the people involved in this incident.
He confirmed the report that the PPP chairman has postponed his visit following the law and order situation created on Sunday.
Bilawal steers clear of Lyari over fresh Kutchhi-Baloch clash
