A file photo of Riaz Hussain at a wedding. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Kurram Agency president Dr Syed Riaz Hussain was shot dead in a targeted attack outside his clinic in Habib Medical Centre, Dabgari Gardens in Peshawar on Wednesday.
He was rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
According to news reports, an attacker riding a motorcycle sprayed bullets on his car near his clinic.
Hussain was a brother of DIG Irshad Hussain (rtd) and belonged to the Shia sect.
He had previously survived two suicide attacks in 2008.
He was a candidate for the National Assembly seat NA-37 from Kurram Agency. Throughout his political career, the deceased and his family struggled to bring peace to the Agency.
Hussain was born on May 11, 1959 and was a graduate of the Khyber Medical College. He was a specialist gastroenterologist and practised at his private clinic.
He is survived by his widow and three sons.
The family is as yet undecided on whether to hold his funeral in Peshawar or at their ancestral village in Parachinar.
Sectarian violence is on the rise in Pakistan, with many Shias being targeted for their beliefs across the country.
Amnesty International has recorded at least 39 attacks on Shias since the start of 2012 till November 2012.
Zardari condemns attack
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned Hussain’s murder. He expressed grief and sorrow over the killing and lauded his services for the people - as a doctor and supporter of democracy.
He directed the concerned authorities to bring the culprits to justice.
In his condolence message to the bereaved family, Zardari prayed for the departed soul.
COMMENTS (23)
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its very sad 4 all of us
@Ishtiaq Bercha:
No sir, he is too busy on issuing contempt notices as if the judges are infallibles and nobody can question their conduct.
Religion plus politics has always created a chemical reaction throughout the world. To blame Saudi Arabia or wahabis or expect condemnation from Zardari Bhutto clique, who introduced excommunication of Ahmedi muslims will also not help. People of Parachinar and their leaders alone top priority should be to protect the citizens of the most beautiful valley in the subcontinent. Open up the artificial border which divides the people. A dialogue with the leaders of suspected perpatrators should be organised, less involvement of Govt functionaries who have failed to provide a solution for protecting the shia muslim community.
Rex Minor.
@wizarat: @Syed: its not from saudi govt sir.many sunni pples shot dead by irani agencies with help of sipah.
RIP, A brave soul indeed. Mr Hussain will always live in our hearts. May Allah give his family and friends the courage to bear this huge loss.
@Nadir: Yes, nobody will care as long as the bullets are fired from the barrels of our 'very own' religious fanatics.
Finally, Zaradri woke-up to condemn the killing of his party worker, where was he when Shahzeb Khan was killed, not a single word of condemnation, shame on him.
What a big loss, but since he was a Shia, doesn't matter. Shia clerics went to see the honorable CJ about the Shia genocide but unfortunately he said he can't really do anything. Theek hai bhai, Khuda to zaroor insaaf karega.
Enough of this nonsense now our shia community should consider how to protect themselves from these animals because our security agencies are not serious in dealing this cancer..
Shia Genocide is ongoing and the government of Pakistan is helping the Saudi/Wahhabis to control the Streets of Pakistan. The public will have to stand up to take back the country by boycotting the Saudi Governments funding of these so called Madrassas to enable them to live in peace.
Dr Riaz Shaheed has served the people of Parachinar in every manner possible. He took the initiative to secure the Kohat-Parachinar road which enabled the residents to not to take longer route which involved Afghanistan. His recent accomplishment included providing of internet service to the residents of Parachinar. He also provided free health care to the needy.
This is an unbearable loss. May Allah grant the disease maqam in Janat and give family to bear this loss (amen)
The separation of the people of parachinar from those living on the other side in Afghanistan must end. The diviison of one from the other is inhuman and must end. PPP has no function to play in the autonomous region of the Pashtus.
Rex Minor
When are we going to say enough is enough? Most of us are quiet b/c we think that we are not the target it is only one or two communities so while we sympathize with them but what can we do and who cares??
Well... if we don't rise up and then all of us will be targets and sitting ducks, already the list of targets are growing. The ostrich strategy is not going to serve us very long.
People do something, we should do little more than what we think our capacity is, we will be surprised at how much capability and power Allah has given us. Just look at Shahzeb's case for example when people raise their voices firmly but politely things happened.
It was a sectarian murder not political one....!!!!!!!!!!
Its very sad to kill the people of specific sect at last we have hearts and mind, and these people are forcing to take Guns be aware of the day... We are all with you dear Dr Syed Riaz Hussan Shah
Another RAW, CIA, Mossad, MI6 conspiracy! We are all innocent and chosen ones as we live in land of pure.
Shias should not forget this mass killing and silence of the powerful state agencies.
Very sad, and a loss to our country that we killed a professional whom we all needed a lot. Shame on us for having such beliefs .
I dont see any reason we should talk to these people. We have a huge army for a reason. If Taliban can have their own sovereign rule within Pakistan why not everyone?
Sheer madness and sectarian hatred which the successive civilian and military governents miserably failed to control.
As he was not assassinated by an Indian or NATO bullet, no one cares.