Law enforcement agencies on Wednesday arrested five suspects from Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the city for their alleged involvement in attack on Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leader Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqui. According to police sources, the agencies conducted raid in Block 6 of the area and arrested five suspects. “They also recovered arms from their possession.” All the suspects were shifted to an undisclosed place for investigation, police sources added. The sources said the suspects who were taken into custody include Zulfiqar Taqvi, Altaf Taqvi, Azadar Taqvi, Iftikhar Taqvi and Zeshan Haider. ASWJ leader Maulana Farooqui came under attack and got injured when armed men opened fire on his vehicle near Moti Mehal area in Gulshan-e-Iqbal town on Tuesday killing six people including four policemen, his personal guard and a driver. ASWJ central leader Allama Muhammad Ludhianvi called on party workers to remain peaceful and cooperate with local authorities in establishing peace. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s economic hub was partially closed and daily civic life was affected on Wednesday due to a strike call given by Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) against attack on its central leader, Maulana Farooqui on Tuesday. Aerial firing and ransacking of public and private properties was reported in many areas as supporters of ASWJ burnt tyres on roads and forcibly closed markets and business activities in various parts. Old city areas – Sadar, Juriya Bazar, Lea Market and Empress Market – remained completely closed while central city areas were partially shut. Public transport remained off the road, leaving commuters in suffering, with CNG and petrol filling stations closed across the city. Enraged mobs burned tyres on roads and suspended traffic in Shershah, Banaras, Lasbela, Gulshan-i-Iqbal and Sultanabad. Police said four people were injured in firing incidents at Korangi, Ghas Mandi and Malir. Extra contingents of police and Rangers were deployed in sensitive areas. Tension gripped Nagin Chowrangi, Nazimabad, New Karachi, Akhtar Colony, New Town, Orangi Town and other areas following the attack. Protesters staged a sit-in on Shar-e-Faisal and set tyres on fire. The University of Karachi postponed its papers scheduled to be held on Wednesday in the wake of uncertain law and order situation in the city. The KU spokesman announced to postpone the BA, BSc and BCom papers, adding the new date for exams would be announced later.
5 arrested for attack on Maulana Farooqui
