Why kill Abid Shirazee?

I would say that Abid Shirazee's murder is a tragedy for hundreds of people who knew him.

KARACHI: With reference to a news item in your newspaper about the death of Abid Shirazee, I would say that his murder is a tragedy for hundreds of people who knew him. He was a name among the waterproofing contractors and consultants of Karachi. Who killed him and why no one can be sure. This target killing has been a scourge of this unfortunate city for long. And those who have been targeted have been Pashtuns or Shias. Abid Shirazee may have been a Shia but he had nothing to do with any sectarian outfit or group. It is then doubly tragic that a non-sectarian, non-political person is killed.

As a junior waterproofing contractor still learning the trade of waterproofing I, was really impressed with the skills of Shirazee sahib. He was prudent and would often win many prized waterproofing projects. On a personal level, he was very fond of good food and would invariably offer you some if you happened to be around – even if you were his biggest competitor.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2010.