Yet another sectarian hit; yet more protests
Sectarian target killings continued in the city on Monday.
Sectarian target killings continued in the city on Monday as four unidentified motorcyclists ambushed and killed a member of the Shia sect in Nazimabad No. 1.
The victim, Sajjid Ali Abbas, was standing in front of the Zain Medical Store in Chawla market, waiting for the bus, when four men on two bikes opened fire at him, at around 10:45 am.
According to members of the Jafferia Alliance Pakistan, Abbas used to run a printing press. He lived in Golimaar, Nazimabad No. 1.
He is the sixth person to fall prey to target killings in the city since last week’s claim by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah that sectarian violence had ended in the Karachi.
The situation became tense in several areas including Nazimabad, Paposh, Rizvia and Essa Nagri after the incident. Members of the Shia sect took to the streets to protest the killing and, in some areas, resorted to aerial firing.
DIG West Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti has transferred SHO Ameer Gondal from Rizvia police station. SHO Ali Raza will now look after the affairs of the station. Police officials said that the decision was taken after Gondal failed to maintain law and order situation in the area. At least six people have been killed within the jurisdiction of Rizvia police station in the past 10 days.
However, SHO Rizvia Ali Raza said that the situation was brought under control as soon as the police received information about the attack.
According to him, police have been given the authority to take stern action against those disturbing peace.
Abbas’s body was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed hospital for autopsy.
After Abbas’s body was handed over to his family, angry protesters gathered outside the hospital and pelted stones at passing vehicles. They shouted anti-government slogans and demanded the arrests of the culprits.
According to the Jafferia Alliance Pakistan leaders, Abbas was the sixth Ahle-Tashee to be killed in the last two weeks.
CCPO Waseem Ahmed had earlier said that the lists of people who had criminal records and connections to banned militant outfits have been sent to the SPs of all the towns and arrests have started.
Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza had also hinted at an operation against target killers. In a recent assembly session, Mirza held the judiciary responsible for violence in the city.
The Ahle-Sunnat wal Jammat, formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba, a banned militant organisation, and the Ahl-e-Tashee have been accusing each other of being involved in killings of the rival sect members.
Till the filing of this report, no FIR had been registered against Abbas’s murder. Protesters continued to block roads leading from Liaquatabad to Nazimabad and Gurumandir to Numaish and other areas till late evening.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2010.
The victim, Sajjid Ali Abbas, was standing in front of the Zain Medical Store in Chawla market, waiting for the bus, when four men on two bikes opened fire at him, at around 10:45 am.
According to members of the Jafferia Alliance Pakistan, Abbas used to run a printing press. He lived in Golimaar, Nazimabad No. 1.
He is the sixth person to fall prey to target killings in the city since last week’s claim by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah that sectarian violence had ended in the Karachi.
The situation became tense in several areas including Nazimabad, Paposh, Rizvia and Essa Nagri after the incident. Members of the Shia sect took to the streets to protest the killing and, in some areas, resorted to aerial firing.
DIG West Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti has transferred SHO Ameer Gondal from Rizvia police station. SHO Ali Raza will now look after the affairs of the station. Police officials said that the decision was taken after Gondal failed to maintain law and order situation in the area. At least six people have been killed within the jurisdiction of Rizvia police station in the past 10 days.
However, SHO Rizvia Ali Raza said that the situation was brought under control as soon as the police received information about the attack.
According to him, police have been given the authority to take stern action against those disturbing peace.
Abbas’s body was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed hospital for autopsy.
After Abbas’s body was handed over to his family, angry protesters gathered outside the hospital and pelted stones at passing vehicles. They shouted anti-government slogans and demanded the arrests of the culprits.
According to the Jafferia Alliance Pakistan leaders, Abbas was the sixth Ahle-Tashee to be killed in the last two weeks.
CCPO Waseem Ahmed had earlier said that the lists of people who had criminal records and connections to banned militant outfits have been sent to the SPs of all the towns and arrests have started.
Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza had also hinted at an operation against target killers. In a recent assembly session, Mirza held the judiciary responsible for violence in the city.
The Ahle-Sunnat wal Jammat, formerly known as Sipah-e-Sahaba, a banned militant organisation, and the Ahl-e-Tashee have been accusing each other of being involved in killings of the rival sect members.
Till the filing of this report, no FIR had been registered against Abbas’s murder. Protesters continued to block roads leading from Liaquatabad to Nazimabad and Gurumandir to Numaish and other areas till late evening.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 29th, 2010.