MQM leader's murder part of 'larger conspiracy to destabilize Pak': Malik

Islamabad, Aug.3 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has blamed the banned terror group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) for the assassination of MQM Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Raza Haider following which massive violence erupted in Karachi resulting in death of 35 people.

Haider was gunned down in the financial capital along with his security guard by unidentified gunmen inside Jamia Masjid on Monday.

Talking to reporters at the Parliament House here, Malik said that concerned police officials were already informed regarding threat to Haider's life, and that his assassination was part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise the country.

"I'm going to tell you that a bigger formula has been framed against Pakistan. It is part of a larger scheme to destabilise Pakistan," Malik said.

He assured the MQM that the government would soon nab the culprits.

"We will definitely apprehend the killers," The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

He said that the killing was part of larger conspiracy to destabilise Pakistan.

Meanwhile, normal life was crippled in Karachi following Haider's murder as the city witnessed violent protests resulting in death of at least 35 persons.

More than 125 people are reported to have been injured in the violent protests across the Karachi.

Dozens of vehicles and several shops were set ablaze, while massive traffic jams were witnessed at all major intersections of the city.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain has called for a high-level probe into Haider's murder. (ANI)