Three killed at Independence Day event in Multan

Shooter commits suicide later

MULTAN: The chairman of a local NGO was shot dead by one of his former employees at an Independence Day event in Chak 384-WB near Basti Malook. Two children, who were sitting in the audience, were shot as well. One of them died.

Police said Saleem Rajab, 45, the chairman of an NGO, had organised an Independence Day celebration for residents of Chak 384-WB at an empty plot of land near his house. During the celebrations, Rajab had walked up to the stage to deliver a speech when Nadeem Iqbal, 28, a former driver at Rajab’s NGO, shot him from behind.

Rajab fell on the stage. Two children in the front row of the audience, Jahanzeb, 11, and Irfan 12, were shot as well.

Police said Jahanzeb and Rajab had died before they could be treated. Irfan was taken to a hospital for treatment. Doctors there later said his condition was stable.

Police said Iqbal had tried to flee but several people at the event had run after him and followed him to his house.

They had found the house locked and tried to force it open but then they heard shots from inside the house and called the police.

Police said they had broken open the lock and entered the house. They had found Iqbal lying dead. He had shot himself, police said.

Residents of Chak 384-WB told The Express Tribune that Rajab had fired Iqbal two months ago.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2016.