MQM-P official shot dead in Karachi

A Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) official was sipping tea with his friends at a dhaba in Surjani Town in the early hours of Wednesday when six assailants riding three bikes came close and opened fire, fatally injuring him.

Police investigations suggest that a dispute over a rickshaw stand led to the murder.

According to Bilal Colony police, 40-year-old Haji Shehzad, joint UC in-charge of MQM-Pakistan UC-8, was targeted at a chai dhaba in Surjani Town. The police said the victim had an ongoing dispute with certain individuals over the operation of a rickshaw stand, which is believed to have led to the murder.

A police investigation officer told The Express Tribune that Haji Shehzad was sitting at a chai dhaba with friends at around 1am when six armed men riding three motorcycles arrived at the scene. The assailants, who had covered their faces to conceal their identities, opened indiscriminate fire, firing more than half a dozen shots.

One bullet struck Haji Shehzad in the ribs. He was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital; however, due to a lack of facilities, he was referred to Civil Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Following the incident, dozens of MQM-P workers, along with Member of the Provincial Assembly Kamran Farooqi and other party leaders, arrived at Civil Hospital. SSP Central Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqui also reached the hospital and met the victim's brother and party office-bearers to gather details of the incident.

The SSP directed the SHO Bilal Colony to extend full cooperation to the bereaved family and ensure that an FIR is registered strictly in accordance with the statements of the heirs. He also ordered swift and effective action for the arrest of the suspects.

Haji Shehzad was a resident of New Karachi Sector 5-E and was employed by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. He was posted at the New Karachi Power House pumping station. He has left behind four children.

After completion of legal formalities and an initial post-mortem examination at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, the body was handed over to the family. The body was later shifted to the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation mortuary in New Karachi.