Philanthropist shot dead in front of family

Abdul Waheed used to run the Pakistan Rotary Polio Resource Centre and a school .

KARACHI: Philanthropist and social activist Abdul Waheed, was shot dead on Monday by unidentified men at his medical store in Islamia Colony, Manghopir. The suspects also injured his one-year-old daughter Pareesha and his elder brother Naseeb Taj.

“Waheed was sitting with his daughter and his brother at his store when three men approached and shot him,” said Orangi town DSP Zahid Hussain. “The suspects injured his brother and daughter when they offered resistance,” he added. Waheed was shot at point blank range and died on the spot. “His brother and daughter were taken to the hospital and the brother’s condition is said to be critical.”



DSP Hussain added that after the gunshot, the suspects lobbed a tiny explosive device which created a lot of noise and the culprits managed to escape during the chaos that ensued. “The victim hailed from Swat but he had been living in Islamia Colony, Manghopir, since the past 15 years.” He pointed out that the victim had been receiving calls from extortionists and they might have shot him over his refusal to give in to their demands. The area where his school and store are located is a known militant hot spot.

Muhammad Adil, a relative of the deceased, said that Waheed ran a private educational institution, Naunehal Public School, next to his store. “He was well-known for his humanitarian work and he also assisted Parween Rehman on the Orangi Pilot Project,” said Adil. “He also ran Pakistan Rotary Polio Resource Centre and he handed out medicines free of cost at his store.”



The medico-legal officer at Abbasi shaheed Hospital said that the victim had died before arriving at the hospital. “His brother was shot twice and his daughter had one bullet wound,” he said, adding that his daughter’s condition was stable. “He had condemned Parween Rehman’s killing after which he received threats from unidentified men,” said Adil. He also mentioned that they had complained to the police about the threats but law enforcers didn’t provide him security.

A big crowd arrived at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital after the incident. People also voluntarily closed all the businesses and shops in the area. They shouted slogans condemning Waheed’s death.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.