Gone too soon: KMDC dept head shot dead

His driver also suffered injuries in the attack in North Nazimabad.

KARACHI:

The head of pathology department of Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC), Dr Javed Iqbal Kazi, was shot dead in broad daylight and his driver suffered injuries in a targeted attack in North Nazimabad on Monday.

At 2:05pm, Dr Kazi left the college in North Nazimabad and, within two minutes, became a victim of targeted killing. "Two young and heavy-built men in caps were already present and waiting for him to arrive," said the victim's driver, Rab Nawaz, who was shot once in the leg. "As soon as he sat in the car, the armed men opened fire at him and escaped."

Dr Kazi was immediately taken to Ziauddin Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. Later, the body was moved to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for an autopsy. The doctors said that the deceased suffered three bullet wounds to his upper torso and died shortly afterwards. After receiving the news about his death, a number of his fellow doctors, students and relatives reached the hospital.

Dr Kazi was serving as the head of the pathology department at the Karachi Medical and Dental College. He had earned his doctorate in medicine from abroad. He was also a potential candidate to head the KMDC in place of its incumbent principal, Prof Waqar H Kazmi, who had received a three-year extension following his retirement.

The tall and soft-spoken doctor was a staunch academician in technique and manner and he had recently been appointed by the University of Karachi as the dean of medicine for its eight affiliated medical colleges.

"Under such gruelling and thankless circumstances in this city, what are doctors supposed to do except leave for a better life and job opportunity," said one of his colleagues, who was talking to The Express Tribune from the hospital.

The doctor, who did not want to be named, asserted that the healthcare professionals in the public-sector can give up all sorts of comforts to offer their best to society but will not relinquish their right to life and security.

"I can't believe what is happening in Karachi. They took our asset, our great teacher. I cannot think of pathology without him," said a grief-stricken student. "He was a great teacher and one of the finest doctors at KMDC," said Mubeena Nahri, a former KMDC student.

Police officials also reached the site and collected evidence. A .30bore pistol was used in the assassination and the police have found four empty shells from the crime scene, however, investigators have yet to ascertain the motive behind the incident. "It was not a robbing bid or a personal enmity. He was not receiving any threats from anyone," said North Nazimabad DSP Iftikhar Lodhi while talking to The Express Tribune. "It is a 100 per cent targeted killing incident but so far we have no idea why it happened."

At least three doctors have been killed so far in Karachi since January 2014, while many of the doctors are receiving life threats from extortionists. There are also reports that the deceased had been receiving life threats, however, the relevant authorities denied it. "Of course, the doctors are receiving life threats by the extortionist mafia," Citizens-Police Liaison Committee chief Ahmed Chinoy told The Express Tribune. "But he was not among them." The deceased lived in Naval Colony Housing Society in Karsaz. He left behind a widow and four children. No case has been registered.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2014.