Sectarian attack: Another Shia doctor gunned down in Peshawar
Doctors announce province-wide protests.
Doctors announce province-wide protests. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
A member of a prominent Shia family from Peshawar, Dr Shah Nawaz Ali was gunned down inside his clinic in Liaquat Bazaar, Saddar, Tuesday afternoon.
According to eyewitnesses, three men entered Dr Ali’s clinic and a few minutes later several gunshots were heard. When witnesses rushed inside his office, they found the doctor dead.
The assailants shot him in the head, killing him on the spot, and then escaped, witnesses told West Cantt police station officials.
“Our team has reached the clinic and is inspecting the crime scene,” said one police official requesting anonymity. He, however, did not comment on the motive behind the attack.
Muharram Committee’s general secretary and grieving uncle, Muzafar Ali Akhunzada said Dr Ali’s wife was admitted in a hospital and was expecting a baby. He said Dr Ali was supposed to visit his wife after clinic hours and already has one daughter.
“He was a nice man and had no disputes with anyone,” said Akhunzada, adding that Dr Ali was targeted because of his faith.
The deceased’s cousin Muqtader Ali Akhunzada has lodged an FIR at West Cantt police station against unidentified attackers.
Dr Ali was a relative of former Superintendent of Police (SP) Hilal Haider, who was killed in a suicide attack at the historic Qissakhwani Bazaar last year. Following the attack, the provincial doctors association announced a strike across the province.
Several other Shias have been targeted in the past few months, including Dr Riaz Hussain, a prominent Shia leader from Parachinar who was also the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) president for Kurram Agency. Additional Sessions Judge Ihtisham Ali was attacked earlier last week in Hayatabad, but managed to escape with non-fatal injuries.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.
A member of a prominent Shia family from Peshawar, Dr Shah Nawaz Ali was gunned down inside his clinic in Liaquat Bazaar, Saddar, Tuesday afternoon.
According to eyewitnesses, three men entered Dr Ali’s clinic and a few minutes later several gunshots were heard. When witnesses rushed inside his office, they found the doctor dead.
The assailants shot him in the head, killing him on the spot, and then escaped, witnesses told West Cantt police station officials.
“Our team has reached the clinic and is inspecting the crime scene,” said one police official requesting anonymity. He, however, did not comment on the motive behind the attack.
Muharram Committee’s general secretary and grieving uncle, Muzafar Ali Akhunzada said Dr Ali’s wife was admitted in a hospital and was expecting a baby. He said Dr Ali was supposed to visit his wife after clinic hours and already has one daughter.
“He was a nice man and had no disputes with anyone,” said Akhunzada, adding that Dr Ali was targeted because of his faith.
The deceased’s cousin Muqtader Ali Akhunzada has lodged an FIR at West Cantt police station against unidentified attackers.
Dr Ali was a relative of former Superintendent of Police (SP) Hilal Haider, who was killed in a suicide attack at the historic Qissakhwani Bazaar last year. Following the attack, the provincial doctors association announced a strike across the province.
Several other Shias have been targeted in the past few months, including Dr Riaz Hussain, a prominent Shia leader from Parachinar who was also the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) president for Kurram Agency. Additional Sessions Judge Ihtisham Ali was attacked earlier last week in Hayatabad, but managed to escape with non-fatal injuries.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2013.