‘Terrible tragedy’: Twitter reacts to assassination of Ali Raza Abidi

Condolences pour in as news of former MQM-P MNA Syed Ali Raza Abidi's assassination breaks out

Soon after the news of former MQM-Pakistan MNA Syed Ali Raza Abidi’s assassination started making rounds, a number of political leaders, senators and government authorities took to Twitter, condemning the targeted killing and condoling the sad demise.

Abidi was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Karachi’s upscale Defence Housing Authority (DHA) neighbourhood on Tuesday.

According to his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Official Twitter account, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his grievance over Abidi's murder and called for an immediate inquiry into the matter.

وزیراعظم عمران خان کا علی رضا عابدی پر حملے کی شدید مذمت، رپورٹ طلب کرلی، وزیراعظم عمران خان نے علی رضا عابدی کی وفات پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار کیا۔@ImranKhanPTI #AliRazaAbidi pic.twitter.com/hUH9b4oqeD

— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 25, 2018

State Minister for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi also expressed his sadness over the demise of "dear colleague and brother Ali Raza Abadi".

He further said that efforts will be put in place to ensure that the killers will be brought to justice.

I am deeply saddened with the untimely demise of our dear colleague and brother, Ali Raza Abadi. May his soul rest in peace and give solace to his family and friends.
All efforts will be put in place to ensure that killers are brought to justice IA.

— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) December 25, 2018

Senior PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal termed former MQM-P leader's death a "terrible tragedy", adding, "Violence in politics is an unforgivable crime."

Very sad on this terrible tragedy. May Allah bless his soul and Grant patience to his family and friends Ameen! Violence in politics is unforgivable crime. We have to collectively counter violent extremism. https://t.co/O3qumFvVz9

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) December 25, 2018

PPP Senator Saeed Ghani lamented Abidi's untimely demise and said that he "was about to join PPP before 2018 general elections".

Really sad to hear about Ali Raza Abdi @abidifactor. Had many meetings with him which we both didn't share with media. He was about to join PPP before GE 2018.
May God give their parents courage to bear this irreparable loss.
Inna lilahe wa ina ilehe rajeoon pic.twitter.com/Gm16DcxQjn

— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) December 25, 2018

Former member of the National Assembly Bushra Gohar expressed her shock over losing "one of the sanest politicians in Pakistan".

Shocked!!! Gone too soon...#RazaAliAbidi was one of the sanest politicians in #Pakistan - his death is a huge loss. Security failure has become an accepted norm. There will be no accountability-so continue with positive reporting as ordered by #DGISPR #RestInPeace @abidifactor https://t.co/rpmgAk1Csu

— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) December 25, 2018

PPP leader Dr Nafisa Shah remembered Abidi and questioned: "Who could be so cruel to take the life of a young and promising leader?"

Shocked& shaken 2learn that our former colleague in the #NationalAssembly #AliRazaAbdi has been shot &killed. He was one of MQM's brightest faces from the urban metropolis. Who could be so cruel to take the life of a young& promising leader who had so much to offer to the country pic.twitter.com/p5MJASuKeo

— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) December 25, 2018

Abid Sher Ali, another PML-N leader, prayed that Abidi's family gets the strength to "bear this irreparable loss".

So sad and painful. May Allah SWT grant courage and patience to all family members to bear this irreparable loss. Ameen pic.twitter.com/AyknKdPuXp

— Abid Sher Ali (@AbidSherAli) December 25, 2018

Former senator Afrasiab Khattak strongly condemned the murder of ex-parliamentarian Ali Raza Abidi.

He further added that the heinous crime must be investigated and the culprits arrested.

Strongly condemn murder of prominent former parliamentarian Ali Raza Abidi, a leader of MQM Pakistan. This heinous crime must be seriously investigated and the culprits be brought to book. In his death the country has lost a political leader vocal on issues faced by the people.

— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) December 25, 2018

MNA Mohsin Dawar expressed sadness over the murder the lawmaker being killed in a targeted attack in Karachi.

He demanded that culprits involved to be arrested immediately.

Deeply saddened to know that Ex member National Assembly of MQM has been killed in a targeted attack in Karachi. The culprits involved must be brought to the book. Our heartfelt condolences goes with family and party members, may his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/3b1aj88IrX

— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) December 25, 2018