170 people killed in target killings

KARACHI: At least 170 people were killed in various incidents of target killing and shoot-outs across the city in August this year.

Among the victims were a member of the Sindh Assembly, police officials, activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Awami National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party, Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi and the Sunni Tehrik.

The month started on a violent note as seven people from the MQM and ANP were gunned down on August 1. This was followed by an attack on MQM MPA Raza Haider on August 2.

On August 6, three MQM activists were shot dead. On August 16, Mirza Khadim Hussain, the son of religious scholar Maulana Mirza Yousuf, was gunned down, which led to more attacks on doctors, police officials and a peshimam.

ANP’s Sindh security incharge Ubaidullah Yousufzai was shot dead at the airport on August 19. Four days later, Asif Jan, the brother of an ANP MNA, was gunned down. An MQM unit incharge was shot dead the next day, while Sardar Zulfikar, a senior advocate of the Sindh High Court, was killed on August 28.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2010.