Prominent trader gunned down

Unidentified bike riders opened fire on Hashim Noorzai near Kuchlak Bypass

QUETTA:

Prominent trader and owner of a private hotel, Muhammad Hashim Noorzai, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants early on Saturday morning in the Baleli Road area near Kuchlak Bypass in Quetta.

According to police, the incident occurred in the limits of Kuchlak Police Station near Othmania Hotel. Noorzai, a resident of Wazirabad Kuchlak, was driving his personal Vigo vehicle from his home towards the city when three to four unidentified men riding a motorcycle opened fire on his car.

The trader sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was critically injured on the spot. The attackers managed to flee from the scene. Eyewitnesses said police reached the location nearly an hour after the incident, by which time Noorzai had succumbed to his injuries. A friend shifted his body to the Civil Hospital.

Doctors at the Civil Hospital confirmed that Noorzai received three bullets, one to the head and two to the arms. The head injury proved fatal, leading to his immediate death.

A police spokesman confirmed the incident and said forensic evidence has been collected from the scene. Investigations are underway from multiple angles, including analysis of CCTV footage and statements from eyewitnesses, to identify the attackers.

The motive behind the killing remains unclear so far. Family members stated that the deceased had no known personal enmity with anyone.

Muhammad Hashim Noorzai was not only a hotel owner but was also actively involved in the hotel industry, Afghan transit trade, and various other business activities. He was widely respected in business circles as an influential yet simple and socially active personality who provided employment to many local youths.

The incident has caused deep concern and shock in Quetta's trading community. Business leaders described the killing as a major setback not only for the victim's family but for the entire business fraternity. They raised serious questions about the security of traders and demanded immediate action to apprehend the culprits.