Godil still critical but improving: doctors

The spokesperson added that in case Godil’s condition worsened, he would be placed on full ventilator support again

KARACHI:

The condition of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmaker Rashid Godil was said to be steadily improving on Wednesday as investigators probing the shooting that left him critically wounded failed to make any headway.

“He [Godil] is still critical, but his condition is improving,” said Anjum Rizvi, the spokesperson for the Liaquat National Hospital (LNH) where the MQM lawmaker is undergoing treatment. “He has improved in the last 24 hours… [but] the next 24 hours are critical,” he told The Express Tribune.

Clarifying that Godil was not yet out of danger, Rizvi said the parliamentarian had started to show natural responses and that it was a sign of recovery. The spokesman added that in case Godil’s condition worsened, he would be placed on full ventilator support again.

Rizvi also said that Godil’s family had expressed satisfaction at the treatment being provided to him at LNH.

Meanwhile, a joint investigation team (JIT) probing the attack on Godil could find a single clue in the case so far. Despite the passage of more than a day, the investigators were unable to obtain even a single eyewitness account. CCTV footage failed to provide any useful information as well.

“We don’t even know how Godil and his driver were taken to the hospital after the attack,” one of the members of the JIT told The Express Tribune. “Were they moved to the hospital in Godil’s car or an ambulance or some other vehicle? Why was Godil moved to LNH while his driver was moved to Aga Khan Hospital?” he asked.

District East police chief SSP Javed Jiskani said the JIT had obtained CCTV footage from the cameras installed along the route from Defence to Baloch Colony. “The footage shows Godil’s car but we are having problems trying to trace the motorcycle the attackers used. A number of motorcycles are seen in the footage,” he said.

The police have announced a Rs5 million reward for anyone who comes forth with information that can help the investigators. A case against unidentified suspects was registered late Wednesday night.


Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2015.