Unknown men overpowered Rana Shaukat, President of Chhanga Manga chapter of the PML-N, tied him to his cot and set him on fire, police and relatives said.
Rana Wajid Ali, nephew of the deceased, said that his party affiliation could be linked to his death as he had struggled much in taking a lot of people to the PML-N rally in Lahore.
Wajid Ali, ex-city nazim, said the deceased also had gunmen but they were in the other room and could not know about the incident.
He said they knew about the tragic episode as they reached the outhouse and found smoke emitting from the room where Shaukat used to sleep. He said as they opened the door, they found him charred beyond recognition.
He said initially they thought he was burnt accidentally but upon noticing that his hands and feet were tied with the cot they deduced that he had been set on fire.
Changa Manga police station duty officer Nadeem told this correspondent that on complaint of Shafqat Ali, son of the deceased, they have registered an FIR against unknown assailants.
According to the complainant, the PML-N leader was first rendered unconscious and then set on fire. He said that the bereaved family has not yet nominated anyone as accused in the case.
He said the outhouse was a big place where three people were also sleeping in the other room. He said that no one from the other room claimed to have heard any noise.
Wajid said that his uncle had old affiliation with the PML-N. He was also president of PML-N in Tehsil Chunian.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2011.
COMMENTS (51)
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@rehmat: No disagreemnt there. There is no justification for murder and such violence.
@Jawad U Rahman: "I think in this case PML-N and especially Shahbaz Sharif is responsible for starting and instigating this violent spree. He vowed to hang Zardari and his supporters in the chowk. That is not a statement of a democratically minded person or party, especially in a country marred by violence he should have known better. And whatever goes around comes around"
I agree with you that Shabaz Sharif's words were harsh. But words should be replied with words. Burning a person alive cannot be justified under any circumstances.
@Jawad U Rahman Pakistan is practically not a democratic country. Accept it. It is just ruled by a party in democratic way
RIP.
How sad! How sinister and horrifying. Where were the neighbors and family? Where were the personal bodyguards? RIP Rana Shaukat. Salams
@Tariq Ahmad:
And it's all roses and flowers....Well, you and I and others, thought wrong. We need to stop deluding ourselves in national mythology and combat the realities of our problems which are mostly self-inflicted thanks to our own horrible prejudices, concepts, behaviours and unethical actions.
@muhammad behzad: While I am not PPP fan, I think in this case PML-N and especially Shahbaz Sharif is responsible for starting and instigating this violent spree. He vowed to hang Zardari and his supporters in the chowk. That is not a statement of a democratically minded person or party, especially in a country marred by violence he should have known better. And whatever goes around comes around.
Wow.
How are we to progress when our politics is entrenched in hate, violence and militancy as well?!
I don't like any of these political parties or politicians, and made a snarky remark about L-e-J militants attending the PML-N rally elsewhere which I know feel somewhat guilty about, but Shaukat's horrendous end should be an eye opener, and I hope the media gives it adequate coverage along with these protests. A good investigation must be carried out as the consequences are dire.
I thought Pakistan was an Islamic Country, where peace flourishes
@Ikramuddin Akbar:
No its local delicacy. Remember Gojra and Shanti Nagar? Guess which political party was behind it?
What we need is more jehad, and not less. True jihad and not false jihad.
@Ameer Hamza: Do not ever forget to blame India.
Mian Brothers cannot control their tongues and when things start happening, they run like cowards.
corruption of PPP is taking new heights.
Like the Arab spring is this the start of the Pakistani winter?
Inna LilLahi wa ina ilahi rajioon....
Goodness, too sad to say anything... May Allah save Pakistan from such brutalities. Oh Allah, Please give peace to Rana sahab in afterlife, Ameen.
VERY SAD!!!
Checkout Mr. Zulfiquar Mirza...he owned that kind of reaction not very long ago..
Atten ... Maliha Lodhi ... formar ambassador to verous countries ...
You were asking for an Arab Spring in Kashmir ... I hope you are noticing whats happening in Baluchistan ... Seems you are a staunch supported of Mawaz Sharif ... Looking forward for a Baluchistan Spring now ...
This is indeed a sad news for all. This is not politics. No one is allowed to blame some one because every politician is looking for his own benefits. If this accident is not personal fight and a reaction towards Shahbaz Sharif debate then our opposition leader must control his tongue. Because every political party have workers and they can take serious actions against any one either political leader or a common man. This is not right that some one killed an innocent person just for political or personal reasons because as a Muslim we must afraid from Allah. Those who are doing such kind of acts they will get their rewards from Allah on the day of Judgment. Please for Allah control your emotions. Every person is free to live according to his wishes but no one is allowed to cross the border of Islamic laws. We Pakistanis are very emotional people and due to illiteracy and poverty we are behind from the developed countries. To become successful in this world first of all we must bring Islamic system in our Country and honest politician to provide us justice in every department of Government. We are a brave nation and we have capabilities but corrupt politicians, bad political system, no Islamic system and love to get the money by any means like bribes,no justice, weakness in administration systems, terrorism by all means, illiteracy,no jobs,poverty,inflation etc. are making us away from the development.
@Ameer Hamza: This is the tendency which is destroying Pakistan, the tendency of blaming someone else for the all the malaise inside the country.
The situation is so bad that even the elite of the ruling party of the province is not safe. Bad governance by all the parties including PML-N, PPP, etc. What can the common man expect then?
This is certainly a very sad day. So much for the politics of reconciliation.
@Aamer Khawaja:
'Their own city'..... ???? Why????? Do the pml n own lahore,
Wow how sad is that. Wont be surprised if we forget about this in a day or two and move on.
First i must acknowledge that this brand of politics is not unique to Pakistan. But neither is so the disgust towards such painfully inhuman adventurism. There can be no bravery in this, not even a minimum bravado. This is mindless selfish cowardice at its height. Check out this brand of politics : A person, who happens to be a politician, is tied down and then burnt alive to death. Police is afraid of commenting for the matter is political and sensitive. Sindh minister concerned has merely taken note and started probe.However he/she has been slightly graceful to ask for the preliminary report within 3 days. So much for the seriousness of the matter.
Questions are :
What if there is counter killings in revenge ? What if this incident triggers a new wave of violence like the one that happened in Karachi just a few months back ? Why is not public opinion swayed enough to start a movement against this shameful brand of politics ? Is it not un-Islamic ? Anti-faith ? Inhuman ?
This is such shame for the society specially for the parties who have not eliminated such people and you know what they come and talk about Human Rights, My heart goes out for his family. RIP
Democracy is ineed the best revenge.
AAGE AAGE DEKHYE HOTA HAI KYA ??? Shame on the Politics of Reconciliation :(
This is really cruel and rediculous. RIP Rana Shaukat
Other politicians must learn from NS & SS, their opponent IK is being allowed to stage a rally in their own city. I wonder if IK can manage a rally against MQM in Karachi or against PPP in Benazirabad?
It is very strange that Rana Shaukat, a PML(N) leader is burnt alive in the province of Punjab where the PML(N) is in the government.
The Police should investigate from all angles as what could be the cause or motivation behind the cold blooded murder of Rana Shaukat.
This is the policy of terrorism and extremism which is going on in Punjab.
Al-lanatul-fil-mout.
When did we Muslim Pakistanis start burning the dead instead of burying.? Is it something imported inspiration?
I wish the Arab Spring can have some after shocks in Pakistan and we can have a 'cleaner' democrarcy. If we can put our major politicians on task , and freeze the ill gotten asset .... just a dream but worth dreamin.
All the parties involved in violence need to be banned!
What a country!
President's-mobs active.
REVEANGE OR POLITICS?
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Is this politics of reconciliation or tolerance or aggression?Because PPPP always claims that PPPP is doing politics of tolerance and reconciliation and if it is so then what PPPP's leaders shall say about it?
This is cruel .. war on words not bodycounts
So now pml-n can't even take out a rally in lahore,otherwise their offices in sindh will be burnt.so much for the drums of democracy that ppp and mqm beat all the time.when a leader from mqm said '' punjab kay har ghar may mujray hotay hain'' no one in punjab burned any mqm offices in punjab so why now this deliberate burning campaign against pml-n? all the racist hate against punjab coming out into the open now>
RIP... really sad to hear....
Oh man, how awful.....