MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi says they will file a defamation suit against PTI. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD SAQIB/EXPRESS
KARACHI: A supporter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) died Tuesday night when workers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - London attacked a house in Bhittai Colony in Korangi near Ibrahim Hyderi, claimed PTI leaders.
According to Dawa Khan Sabir, the information secretary of the party in Karachi, a group of men attacked the house of PTI worker Danish Abbasi where Ashraf Tanoli, uncle of Abbasi and also a PTI supporter, died after hit by several bullets.
Commenting on the incident, Sabir said the PTI workers in the area had been complaining to the Rangers and police against criminals demanding extortion from residences. The extortionists attacked the house of the PTI worker in an act of revenge against lodging of complaints, he added.
Sindh Rangers 'created history' bringing peace in Karachi: Nisar
Sabir also mentioned that firing was also done from Abbasi's residence for the purpose of defence. The criminals ran away after some time, he added.
PTI Deputy Secretary-General Imran Ismail clarified while talking to The Express Tribune that the MQM workers, whom the PTI is blaming for the incident, belong to its London faction.
Tanoli was laid to rest on Wednesday after Asr prayers. Ismail along with other PTI leaders, Faisal Vawda and Khurrum Sher Zaman, attended the funeral where they demanded the police to arrest the culprits.
Casualties feared as building collapses in Karachi
Meanwhile, the police disagree with the PTI version of the episode. According to Ibrahim Hyderi SHO Amjad Yameen, the incident was a result of a dispute between two local groups rather than political parties. Political association of the involved individuals had no bearing on the incident, he maintained.
The SHO added that both the groups fired at each other and two motorcycles were also torched during the violence. Rangers and police have conducted raids at a school and houses nearby and one of the suspects has been detained, the officer summed up.
MQM-London officials were not available for comments.
Weapons recovered from shop on Karachi's Nishtar Road
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ