Reactions: Eight killed in post-election violence

Two PML-N workers gunned down in Karachi; 4 killed in MQM-PPP clashes in Benazirabad.

HYDERABAD/ KARACHI: At least eight people, including workers of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, were killed in election-related violence in Karachi and Benazirabad.

Four people were killed and a dozen injured in clashes between workers of PPP and MQM in Benazirabad, the hometown of President Asif Ali Zardari. Following the incidents, the army was called in to control the situation.

The conflict broke out during the voting process at a polling station in Girls Primary School Taj Colony on Saturday. In the exchange of fire that ensued, an MQM worker, identified as Irfan Malik, was killed. An 11-year-old boy Navid Malik, who was injured in the clashes along with five others, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

In response, MQM workers threw stones at police and local PPP leaders. Both parties have closely contested the PS-24 constituency in Benazirabad, with the MQM finishing second in the last two elections.

Fresh riots erupted on Sunday when supporters of PPP gathered outside the District and Sessions Court to celebrate their victory. A former councillor of MQM, 55-year-old Ghulam Rasool, was killed and five others, including children, were injured.



In reaction, gunmen fired at the houses of PPP’s candidate for PS-24, Tariq Massod Arain, and the party’s district general secretary Imdad Dhamrah. As a result, a passerby, Muhammad Nawaz Mallah, was killed. Both the sides are yet to lodge cases.

Benazirabad has two NA and five PS constituencies, which PPP has claimed in previous elections. MQM has rejected the poll results for NA-213, won by President Zardari’s sister Azra Fazal Pecheho, and PS-24.

Karachi unrest

Two workers of PML-N were gunned down during victory celebrations, confirmed PMLN leader Ali Akbar Gujjar.

Police said two bystanders were also killed during the celebration rally in Awami Chowk, in the remit of the Model Colony police station. They said the incident occurred when an MQM rally was passing through the area.

Gujjar said the dead PML-N workers were distributing sweets when they were fired upon by a rally of ‘another group’, which was passing by.

Separately, an MQM activist Naushad alias Adil was killed, while two others were injured in Orangi Town. In another incident, a man, identified as Aqeel, was killed by gunmen in the limits of Shahra-e-Noor Jehan. However, his political affiliation could not be ascertained.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2013.