KHAIRPUR: At least seven people were killed and 10 others injured in firing at a rally of ruling Pakistan Peoples' Party-Parliamentarian (PPP-P) near Khairpur on Sunday evening.
Six people including a journalist were killed while 10 others, including three journalists, and administrator TMA Khairpur were injured when unknown armed men opened indiscriminate fire on the rally.
Taluka Administrator Khairpur Niaz Ali Janwari had hosted a rally to support the Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance in Sadoro Janwari village within the jurisdiction of B-Section police station. MNA Nafeesa Shah, the daughter of Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was to preside over the event as chief guest.
However, before the MNA reach the rally venue, some armed men opened firing. As a result a journalist Mushtaq Khand, along with Zafar Ali, Salahuddin, Dilshad, Munawar Janwri and Raza Mehdi died on the spot while 10 other people including three journalists, Mukhtiar Phulpoto, Allahdad Rind and Faheem Mangi, and TMA Administrator, Niaz Ali Janwari sustained injuries.
Speaking to Express News, Shah said that the incident is nothing short of a terrorist attack, at the same time, she added that a political element behind the attack could not be ruled out. "They did not want such public meetings," Shah said, adding that this was an attack on the PPP.
They were rushed to the Civil Hospital Khairpur for treatment. The bodies were also transferred to the hospice.
Later, five of the critically injured were shifted to Sukkur.
Following the incident, Khairpur town went closed to mourn the deaths.
No arrest had been made till the filing of this report.
The Sindh Chief Minister has sought a report of the incident from Inspector General Police Sindh.
COMMENTS (15)
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@Sindhi_Pakistani: Dude, no one has problems with Sindhi language, culture, heritage and civilization. Its you nationalists who are always trying to rake up conspiracy theories and hype up things here and there. Instead of crying over lame things like Sindh getting divided, don't you have better things to do? Look at the poverty and illiteracy in this country. People don't have food to eat, jobs to work for, education is not available to everyone etc. Why don't you ever talk about these genuine issues?
PPP government in the name of reconciliation has destroyed the governance, social and economic fabric of Sindh. No peace will return to cities in the presence of this act. This act has given limitless power to mayors and has created big cities as fiefdoms for them. The PPP government was given mandate to curb terrorism, introduce good governance, promote economic development and protect the rights of Sindh and Sindhi people, but it has sold Sindhi people and created a system for the division of Sindh.
Nationalists and their followers-the blind leaving the blind. It seems like PPP has people who understand local government systems better than nationalists and the other parties who all need to learn about local government systems. Anyone who is educated in public administration knows that large cities need special attention. They even know that in Africa-let alone in other of Asia. All the Pakistani parties who oppose this law reveal is how little they know and understand.
@Pungi: Indeed, I wonder what pro-PPP trolls will have to say to this. They can't even guarantee safety of their supporters in a remote town in Sindh and they have the guts to talk about a rally on the borders of South Waziristan. Irony of ironies.
Sindh flows in the blood of Sindhis, we welcomed people to immigrate and live side by side with us as brothers and be part of this beautiful land. But we wont allow any Tom, Dick, Harry to usurp our resources, snatch our urban centers, disown our heritage and language. No Law will be accepted, which will make us aliens to our own cities and land. Pls respect our right over our land. We will never accept SPLGB2012, which paves the way for division of Sindh. Those who have problem with Sindhi language, culture, heritage and civilization, they are free to leave our land.
This is no ploy, tactic, or stratagem to deprive the people of Pakistan of the benefits of decentralized changes in the system. It is a proven and time-tested model. After reverting to the old system, the effects of five years can be seen everywhere. It is time for change. In fact, it is long overdue. Look at the resistance to change and where it has brought us. We cannot even decide whether we are Pakistanis, Indians, or some other nationality. The time to take hard decisions is now and let the results speak for themselves. In the past when the Local Bodies were in operation for four years, the benefits to Karachi present themselves to be seen every day. Long live SPLG 2012. Salams
So Sindhi 'nationalists' are showing their true color !
This is crazy.. Arms are being used everywhere so openely... Sindh govt must do something de-weaponize the province
Love or hate who care, but every one should critical of killing
& all the day PPP & their supporters were accusing Imran Khan for putting lives in danger during Peace March.. OH GOD..!
I don't know why people are making so much fuss about the bill for local government ordinance that has killed so many innocent people?
Sindh hates PPP. This is ploy by PPP Govt. to malign peaceful struggle of nationalists. We Love you "Save the Sindh Committee".
People of Sindh welcome and accept SPLGB2012
It was reported earlier that this incident was due to some tribal clashes but PPP will use it set scores with nationalists and people of Sindh who are on roads to voice their protest against anti Sindh SPLG2012 Bill. It seems PPP's plan to launch operation against people of Sindh. People of Sindh will not accept SPLGB2012.