Medics said Tahira received one bullet in her abdomen, which affected her intestines while the other pierced through her left leg, beneath the waist and had affected the main blood vessel. PHOTO: FILE
Shot four times, Asif was on ventilator since Wednesday and doctors administered over 100 blood bags.
She is survived by her husband, two sons and one daughter.
A number of MQM activists have gathered outside the Sheikh Zayed hospital in Lahore, where Asif was being treated, and chanted slogans against the Punjab government.
Just hours before she was pronounced dead, MQM chief Altaf Hussain had issued an appeal where he said that Asif's condition was critical and urged workers to donate blood for her.
Her funeral prayers will be offered in Federal Colony after the Friday prayers.
Arrest Asif's killers within 3 days: Altaf
Terming the murder of MQM MNA Tahira Asif an act of target killing, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain demanded that the government should arrest the killers of Asif within three days.
In a statement released by the MQM, Altaf said that if Asif's killers were not arrested within three days, people will begin to wonder whether the government itself was involved in the murder.
Paying tribute to her courage and commitment to the truth, Altaf revealed that Asif had threats from religious extremists. He added that despite informing the local police and administration about the situation, she was not provided adequate security.
3 days of peaceful mourning
MQM Rabita Committee’s deputy convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told the media that Asif had passed away. He demanded that the Punjab police to trace and arrest the killers.
“Such acts will not stop us nor scare us. We pray for her soul.”
The MQM also announced three days of peaceful mourning over the incident but said that business and transport services will continue as per their normal routine.
#MQM announced 3 days Mourning on brutal killing of MNA Tahira Asif. Business & transport will normal. Black flags will be hoist
— Mustafa Azizabadi (@azizabadi) June 19, 2014
#MQM MNA Tahira Asif baji passed away. Plz pray for her departed soul & RIP Aameen.
— MQM (@OfficialMqm) June 19, 2014
Shot four times
MNA Tahira was buying fruits from a stall on the main Hafeez Taib Road in Lahore on Wednesday when two armed men riding a motorcycle held her up at gunpoint and asked her to hand over her mobile phone and clutch, which contained important documents and cash.
According to the police, Tahira refused to hand over the valuables, raised alarm and tried to grab one of the robbers. Upon this, the gunmen shot her before fleeing the scene.
The MNA was accompanied by her daughter and driver, who immediately drove her to the Sheikh Zayed Hospital, where she was rushed into the operation theatre.
Medics said Tahira received one bullet in her abdomen, which affected her intestines while the other pierced through her left leg, beneath the waist and had affected the main blood vessel.
They said 27 blood bags were administered to the victim and the bullets were taken out from her body after the surgery. Later she was shifted to the ICU where her condition was said to be critical.
Iqbal Town SP Dr Farrukh Raza told The Express Tribune that the FIR of the incident was not lodged as yet as the victim’s family had not moved any application to the police station.
“Tahira’s husband Muhammad Asif was contacted by the police but he refused to file a complaint as he was busy with his wife’s operation,” SP Raza said, adding that the FIR will be lodged as soon as a complaint was filed with them by the family.
Politicians offer condolences for Tahira Asif
Tahira asif: I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death.my deepest condolence to sister tahira MQM and family!
— Abid Sher Ali (@AbidSherAli) June 19, 2014
Sad.Tahira Asif MNA MQM shot in Lhr has died. Knew her in NA she was so full of life. May Allah give her family strength to bear this loss.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) June 19, 2014
Heartfelt Condolences to #MQM on the tragic death of #TahiraAsif , MNA. May Allah bless her. @SsamanJay
— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) June 19, 2014
Shocked & saddened to hear about the death of MQM MNA Tahira Asif. Thoughts and prayers with her family in this difficult time.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 19, 2014
https://twitter.com/TahirulQadri/statuses/479238793212334080
COMMENTS (31)
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@Timorlane: If support of majority reflects you comment was correct, then you must know that majority is never and nowhere considered to the thinkers. Majority in any nation are followers, blind followers. But pls, seek some medical help for your mental sickness.
@Timorlane: You are biased and you are showing extreme prejudice. STOP BEING JUDGEMENTAL PLS!
Sad to the depths of my heart. May ALLAH elevate her soul to a higher place in jannah and give her family, MQM and us to bear this loss. INSHA ALLAH blood of this innocent lady, among thousands others, will not go to waste.
@Khushab wala.: Look at the number of recommendations I got. Which shows this nation's majority is still against the criminals and their supporters like you. You need spiritual and moral help which unfortunately can not be provided even in a mental hospital thus you are a hopeless case and a curse for this society torn by your favorite criminals gangs
@Timorlane: You should get mental help. there are medications that can help you. Keep you under control, People like you are dangerous. Should be kept under watch in a mental institution. Danger to society.
@usman: and who killed thousands of people in Karachi ? who always ally with feudals while denouncing feudalism ? and who never staged a dharna / strike / rally against wadera corruption party's loot and destruction of Karachi ?
timore lanes of pakistan killed tahira. Rip
@Urban Legend: Talking about single nation then have you ever kept your city / locality shutdown in any of the numerous carnage taken place in Karachi ??? ALLAH has given me the soul pray for not just one MNA but for also the thousands of the innocent butchered and killed in Karachi since 1986. Hypocrites like you have destroyed this country with your myopic piety
@Pakistani: and you are not ashamed of the thousands of the people tortured and killed by the Mafia that makes poor people starve by forcing unending shutdowns, and you are not ashamed of the hypocrites who have never in 30 years staged a single dharnas / rally / shutdown against Karachi Circular Railway revival blockage by wadera corruption party, against quota system, against loot of Karachi by their allies wadera corruption party, you should be ashamed of yourself if you are not ashsmed of all that
@Mishrab: Sick minded are the criminals who have been torturing, killing and stuffing dead bodies of their opponents in gunny bags, making people starve by forcing shutdowns, those who have always been allied to waderas and howl that they are struggling against feudalism, they are the sick minded and their supporters like you
@Timorlane: I am ashamed of your comment. But you are not.
@Timorlane: Bias and sick minded.
Inna lillahi wainna ilayehi rajijo'on!
@Timorlane: You are among the sick minded people found in abundance in Pakistan and thats why we have never been able to make Pakistan a single nation. May Allah give you hidayat and guide you not to be judgemental.
Over this tragic incident MQM should appeal for shutdown of business and transport in Lahore and Gujranwala. RIP also the thousands of innocent people butchered and found in gunny bags in Karachi since 1986
@Calypso: That, is according to "police"... Punjab Police to be specific. No further comments..
@Saleem: Its very sad that she died - but imagine how innocent people are murdered every day in Karachi but nobody bothers
Inna lillahi wa innna ilahee rajioon.
May Allah SWT forgive her and increase her rank and bless her with Jannah. The govt. is helpless herself and entangled in non issues never mind the real issues such as ever increasing extremism and hostility in the nation, the power crises, the bad governance and so on and so forth.
Sadly her killers won't be caught :( I'll make dua that they get punished but as I Pakistani I know nothing is gonna happen.
Is it not the responsibility of state to register FIR for a heinous crime like murder ? Will the police wait for the family to file application so that they can start investigation ? Such a sorry state of my country :(
When punjab police has become military wing of pml n to carry out nefarious plans this is bound to happen...RIP
Another victim of 'good governance'
Very sad news. But this would be a reminder to those sitting in parliament what ordinary people of Pakistan are going through. If you dont implement the writ of the state and the killers will be let free then one day it will be your turn too. May Allah bless her soul.
INNA LLILLAH WA INNA ILAIHE RAJAY OON , rest in peace , you gave your life for liberal pakistan , for modern moderate pakistan , cleansed from all kind of extremism ,religious prejudicse , you died for pakistan where word minority is abolished and all pakistanis are equal, you died for pakistan where there is gender equality , where equal opportunities for education and progress , and much much more brave women rest in peace , may your blood brings a turn around for which you were struggling..May your family and party bear the loss with grace and magnanimity , may ALLAH bring solace to all who grieve for you , and i am one of them , because i also aspire your ideals
"According to the police, Tahira refused to hand over the valuables, raised alarm and tried to grab one of the robbers. Upon this, the gunmen shot her before fleeing the scene"
Sad incident. My heart goes out to the family of the victim. Just wondering were the valuables more important than her life? I mean resisting in such scenarios is not an act of bravery it simply means you are bringing it on to yourself. Life is precious of all, after all... Bless her soul!
It is indeed a very sad news.May her soul rest in peace.
InnalillahiWainnailahiRajoun.
Rest In Peace.
Zindabad Asif.
Zindabad MQM.
I am feeling very sad. May her soul rest in peace and may Allah expose the culprits and bring them to justice.