Murder: Gohar Shahi’s spiritual successor killed

HYDERABAD: The Amir of Anjuman-i-Sarfaroshan-i-Islam,Wasee Muhammad Qureshi, was gunned down in Latifabad Unit 5 on Thursday. Qureshi was coming home after his children to school when three men who were riding motorcycles opened fire. He was shot once in the head and twice in the abdomen and was rushed to Shah Bhittai Hospital where he died. He is survived by a widow, two sons and a daughter. Qureshi succeeded the leadership of Anjuman-i-Sarfaroshan-i-Islam after the death of its founder, Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi, who lived a controversial life as he claimed to be Imam Mehdi and the saviour. His death or disappearance was reported in around ten years ago in London. According to some close observers of the group, Qureshi and the ex Amir, Shahi’s wife, formed factions after his death. Qureshi’s family said that they knew the attackers and will reveal their identities soon. Latifabad B Section police station registered an initial report but the FIR has yet to be registered.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2011.