The sister-in-law of deceased MQM worker Waqas Shah weeps at his funeral. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's Waqas Shah was laid to rest on Thursday afternoon after funeral prayers were offered at Azizabad's Jinnah Ground.
Shah, a member of the MQM's Central Information Committee, was shot dead during aerial firing on Wednesday morning when Rangers raided the party's headquarters, Nine-Zero.
Family, relatives and friends were present at the funeral which was also attended by a large number of party workers and leaders, including MPAs Khwaja Izharul Hassan, Faisal Subzwari and Wasay Jalil.
The police have registered a case on behalf of the state (FIR No 78/15) against unidentified men for Shah's death. The party has requested the chief minister of Sindh to form a judicial commission to investigate the Rangers raid at Nine-Zero.
Cases registered
The Azizabad police have registered 26 separate FIRs — from No 52/15 to 77/15 — against 26 alleged target killers, including Faisal Mehmood alias Faisal Mota who was convicted and sentenced to death by a court for the murder of Geo News reporter Wali Babar, Nadir Shah who was also convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison, Farhan Shabbir alias Mullah, Amir, Ubaid K-2 and Nooruddin Subhani.
According to the SHO, they had a separate FIR for each person. "The cases were registered on behalf of the Rangers under sections of the Explosives Act, Anti-Terrorism Act and possession of illegal arms," he said.
The 26 suspects are still in the custody of the Rangers and likely to be produced before a court on Friday (today).
Three MQM workers were handed over to the Azizabad police by the Rangers after investigations suggested that they were not involved in anything. They will be released after formalities are completed.
No police at Nine-Zero
Police security was withdrawn from the MQM's headquarters following the Rangers raid on Wednesday. Around two dozen policemen are usually on duty at Nine-Zero during a shift. Police officials claim that personnel will be deployed once the situation in the city calms down.
City situation
Major markets, bazaars and schools in the city remained closed for a second consecutive day. Several petrol stations were also closed on Thursday. The Rangers and police have been asked to enhance patrolling and routine checking in the city to avoid untoward incidents.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2015.
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