Woman killed by gunfire celebrating new prime minister

Around 100 activists from PML-N had taken to the streets of Thul, firing weapons in the air.

KARACHI: A woman died on Thursday after being hit by stray bullets fired by supporters celebrating the appointment of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, police said.

Around 100 activists from the Pakistan Muslim League - N (PML-N) took to the streets of Thul, a remote town in Sindh, firing weapons in the air to celebrate Sharif taking office for an unprecedented third term.

Some of the bullets hit and killed 45-year-old Musammat Bibal, while her 19-year-old niece Jamila Bibi was rushed to hospital in critical condition, police said.

"They were firing in jubilation and the bullets hit one woman in the head and she died at the spot," Bahar Uddin, the police officer in Thul, told AFP by phone.

Sharif was sworn in as prime minister on Wednesday, some 13 years after he was deposed in a coup and exiled, following the PML-N's comfortable victory in the May 11 general election.