Target killing: Traders shut down shops after MQM leader’s killing

‘The govt has ignored a number of target killings of MQM workers’.

FAISALABAD: A shutter down strike was observed in Chiniot after Muttahia Qaumi Movement (MQM) district vice president Syed Asghar Abbas was shot dead early on Thursday morning.

Chiniot City police told newsmen that Abbas, editor of weekly Fakhar-i-Chiniot and joint secretary of the Chiniot Press Club, was attacked by unidentified assailants late on Wednesday night.

They said Abbas was going to a market from his house when some men on a motorbike shot him near Madrassa Ashraful Uloom. He died on the spot.

On Thursday morning, most traders did not open their shops on Aalimgir Road, Kutchery Road, Tehsil Road, Railway Road, Rail Bazaar, Garha Chowk, Muslim Bazaar and Jhuthan Chowk.

Many joined Abbas’s funeral prayers were held at Khatam-i-Nawubbat Chowk.

Police tightened security in Chiniot and sealed Khatam-i-Nawubbat Chowk for visitors when funeral prayers were being offered.

Chiniot City station house officer told The Express Tribune that a case had been registered on the complaint of the victim’s brother.

He said a police team had been constituted by the district police officer to find and arrest the culprits.

MQM Punjab President Ateequr Rehman condemned the killing at a press conference. He said a senior MQM worker had been targeted in a planned attack.

He said the deaths of Asghar Abbas at Chiniot, MNA Tahira Asif in Lahore and Bao Anwar in Sialkot were all linked to a conspiracy against the MQM.

“The government’s silence on the matter is deafening. Although MQM has been targeted several times in the last few months, no efforts were made for safety and protection of MQM leaders.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2014.