Profile: Waqas Ali Shah left home for Nine Zero, never to return

Syed Waqas Ali Shah was a member of MQM Central Information Committee and a Bcom student at Federal Urdu University


Rabia Ali March 11, 2015
MQM worker Syed Waqas Ali Shah. PHOTO: MQM

KARACHI: A Muttahida Qaumi Movement worker was shot dead during aerial firing following a raid conducted by the Rangers’ at the party’s headquarters in Karachi Wednesday morning.

Syed Waqas Ali Shah, who was a member of the MQM Central Information Committee, was photographed moments before his death, protesting outside Nine Zero.

Shah was set to get engaged on Saturday, followed by a wedding after six months.

“He died protecting our women. I was with him,” said Shah’s closest friend, Ahsan Khan, who is also a member of the party.

“Don’t misbehave with the women,” were said to be the 25-year-old Shah's last words to Rangers personnel, who according to eye-witnesses accounts were shoving and pushing women protesting outside the MQM headquarters.

Both Shah and Khan were quite popular for hosting programmes, rallies, protests and gatherings for the party. They were also known for delivering fierce and emotional speeches.

Read: Explainer: Why the MQM raid was conducted today and what it means for Karachi's security


Syed Waqas Ali Shah seen moments before his death. PHOTO: MQM

Khan said Shah's death seemed like a bad dream.

“He woke me up in the morning, and we rode together to Nine Zero on the same bike," he said. "I will go home alone now.”

Read: LIVE: One dead, several injured as Rangers raid MQM headquarters

Back in 2009, Shah and Khan organised their first event together – the APMSO’s foundation day at Lal Qila ground. Both men had been preparing for more than a week -- making notes and thinking of which couplets to read. One of Shah’s favorite poets, according to his friend, was Habib Jalib.

“The party stresses a lot on Urdu literature and poetry, so we had to work on that,” said Khan, adding that though they were quite nervous, the event was a success.

Shah hosted his last programme on February 28 on the foundation day of the party’s labour division.

Shah’s funeral will take place on Thursday after Zuhr prayers at Jinnah ground. He leaves behind seven siblings and parents.

Read: Investigations: MQM lawyer's killers will be arrested soon: police

COMMENTS (28)

cheeta | 9 years ago | Reply NO this is not ‪#‎Kashmir‬ believe it or not this is ‪#‎Karachi‬ And Rangers are higly biased & treat Muhajirs like Terrorists! “People of Karachi have always showed their trust in MQM in every elections, the party has contested over the past three decades,”
John Mott | 9 years ago | Reply @khi lover: Touchè! Thank you.
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