A political worker of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) lost his life while a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) activist sustained injuries during a violent clash between the two parties late Sunday night in Karachi’s Nazimabad area, Express News reported.
According to the police, the deceased has been identified as 44-year-old Faraz Ahmed Qureshi, son of Ghayoor Ahmed Qureshi. The injured youth is identified as 25-year-old Rao Muhammad Talha, son of Rao Muhammad Salim.
Talha was initially rushed to a private hospital after receiving initial medical aid. According to local residents, the clash occurred when a PPP rally was passing by the area.
They said that some PPP workers attempted to hoist the party flag in front of the MQM-P office which led to exchange of harsh words between the workers of both parties and later escalated to physical violence.
Read more: PPP accuses MQM-P of attacking its PR office
Later, unidentified armed men initiated indiscriminate firing, while some individuals also attacked vehicles with sticks. The locals said that the firing was so intense that it could be heard from a considerable distance. Police vehicles from Gulbahar Police Station reached the scene, but the firing persisted, they lamented.
کراچی ناظم آباد انکوائری آفس کے قریب ایم کیو ایم اور پیپلز پارٹی کے کارکنوں کے درمیان تصادم ایک شخص فراز ولد غفور جاں بحق دو زخمی مشتعل افراد نے دو گاڑیوں کو آگ لگا دی #Karachi#Election2024 pic.twitter.com/HVhiYabvkJ
— Samar Abbas (@Samarjournalist) January 29, 2024
During this time, unidentified individuals set fire to two vehicles, forcing the owners to abandon them and flee. Subsequently, Rangers arrived in large numbers, bringing an end to the firing.
A fire brigade vehicle arrived and extinguished the fire that had engulfed the vehicles. The owners of the burning vehicles reached their cars sitting in the Ranger's mobile, but by then, both vehicles had been completely destroyed.
Police report that the deceased Faraz hailed from the Paposh Nagar area and was in charge of Gulbahar Sectors Unit 38, while the injured, Rao Muhammad Talha, is affiliated with the PPP.
Also read: Karachi has ‘spoken’ in MQM-P’s favour: Siddiqui
Following the incident, scores of MQM-P activists rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, staying there until 5am. Later, after police proceedings, the deceased's body was taken to a KKF morgue in New Karachi area.
The police have taken four individuals into custody for investigation, suspecting their involvement in the firing incident. Multiple spent cartridges have been recovered from the crime scene, and sent for forensic analysis.
Attackers given licence to kill: Siddiqui
Meanwhile, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the convenor of the MQM-P, expressed deep sorrow over the death of an MQM worker in the clash.
Siddiqui said that PPP workers attacked their office as MQM-P was challenging it on the electoral front.
Siddiqui highlighted that the MQM does not wish to engage in conflict, stating, "Our stance is that we do not want to fight. But they [PPP] have an issue with this as well. Do you want to repeat history,” he questioned.
He warned that the peace in the city may get disturbed as the election date nears, adding that those who attacked MQM-P workers last night have been given a “licence to kill”.
"We will not get violent; we are waiting for divine justice. In this killing, the police are not just equal partners but directly involved, and a case should be filed against them too,” he alleged.
MQM-P resorting to old tactics: Ghani
In a press conference held in Karachi, PPP leader Saeed Ghani claimed that MQM-P was once again turning into MQM-London.
Ghani expressed concern over the current situation, stating that the situation was not conducive for MQM-P, therefore, they were resorting to their old tactics.
He said that the MQM-P of 2018 was better as Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) had not merged into it at that time, adding that if the MQM-P decides to run away from elections, it will be solely responsible for its decision.
He alleged that MQM-P leader Mustafa Kamal was responsible for the incident, and an FIR should be filed against him. “If the authorities do not stop them, they will continue [violence] with impunity,” he added.
He further said that PPP workers have been instructed not to engage in any activity that could harm the environment.
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