Rest in peace: MQM loses man who managed their rallies

KARACHI:

Syed Waqas Ali Shah, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker shot dead during aerial firing following a raid conducted by the Rangers' at the party's headquarters on Wednesday morning, was a member of the MQM's Central Information Committee.

He was photographed moments before his death, protesting outside Nine Zero. "He died protecting our women. I was with him," said Shah's close friend, Ahsan Ghori Khan, who is also a member of the party.

"Don't misbehave with the women," were said to be the 25-year-old's last words to Rangers personnel, who according to 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. Khan said that Shah's death seemed like a bad dream. He was set to get engaged on Saturday, followed by a wedding in six months. "He woke me up in the morning, and we rode together to Nine Zero on the same motorcycle," he said. "I will go home alone now." Back in 2009, Shah and Khan organised their first event together — the All Pakistan Muttahida Student Organisation's foundation day at Lal Qila ground. Both men had been preparing for the event for more than a week — making notes and thinking of which couplets to read. One of Shah's favourite 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.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2015.