Riots in Sindh after killing of two JSQM leaders

Killing takes place before the “Azadi March” to be held by the party on March 23 in Karachi.

Riots broke out in various cities of Sindh after two Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) leaders were killed near Bhiria city in Naushehro Feroze district this morning.

Spokesperson JSQM Maqsood Qureshi, brother of late JSQM chief Bashir Qureshi, and Salman Wadho, Secretary General of Latif Sangat, the literary wing of JSQM, were the two victims of the targeted killing.

After the incident, the assailants set the vehicle on fire and escaped from the scene. The police shifted the burnt bodies to district hospital.

The killing of the Sindhi nationalist leaders has triggered widespread unrest in many towns and cities of Sindh, with business activity coming to a halt.

The incident took place before the “Azadi March” which was to be held by the party on March 23 in Karachi.

“Maqsood was pursuing the murder case of his brother. Today, he along with other party activists was going to invite people to participate in the Azadi march, but personnel of intelligence agencies have killed them,” senior leader of the party Dr Niaz Kalani told The Express Tribune.

The media in-charge of JSQM has announced that the party will not postpone the “Azadi March” being convened on March 23 in Karachi, where they would hold funeral prayer of the deceased. “We will not burry the bodies till the march is held,” he said.

On the other hand, the Sindh government has announced a judicial inquiry into the matter and termed it a conspiracy against PPP led government. “Some elements don’t want peace in Sindh and are hatching conspiracies. We will now expose them,” Sharjeel Inam Memon said.

PPP reaction

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Patron-in-Chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the killings.

In a press statement, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the inhuman act of burning the bodies of JSQM leader was the most heinous crime, stressing that those who committed it must not go scot-free at any cost.

He asked for a thorough probe into the incident and said that the PPP, being a democratic party, would never allow such incidents under any circumstances.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sympathy to the family of JSQM leader and workers and asked people to remain calm, assuring full support to the bereaved family.