Election Violence: PML-Q worker shot dead

LAHORE:

A man was shot dead here in Ferozewala on Wednesday, apparently in a dispute over the placement of election advertisements.

Iftikhar Jafri, 40, was putting up banners and posters in support of PML-Q candidate for PP-164 Syed Ali Abbas Gul Agha in Imamia Colony and sought to place one near the office of Chaudhry Abbas Gujjar, who is supporting a PML-N candidate at NA-132.

Gujjar warned Jafri not to put up the banner there and an argument ensued, according to a complaint made to Ferozewala police by Jafri’s relatives and other party workers. Gujjar and other men then shot and killed Jafri, the complainants said.

The Ferozewala SHO said police were interviewing witnesses at the scene to identify the shooters. The body was sent for an autopsy.

Police contingents have also been deployed outside the house of Abbas Gujjar, who reported receiving death threats following the killing.

Several politicians visited the area to calm their supporters and the local police station. Jafri used to run a restaurant in the area and is survived by a wife and two children.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2013.