Pak: MQM election candidate killed in Sindh

Karachi, April 12: A Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)

for the upcoming general elections in

was

on Thursday by unknown motorcycle-borne assassins near Hala Naka here.

The incident has spread panic in the city.

The deceased, Fakhrul Islam, was set to contest from two constituencies of Hyderabad city in souther Sindh province, PS-47 and NA-221. He was a goods transporter and a resident of Malika Nagar Colony. The assassins shot him while he was walking towards his office, killing him on the spot.

Islam had received four bullets in his head and chest. Hyderabad Zonal Deputy In-charge of the MQM Iftekhar Qaimkhani condemned the incident as a targeted killing and said Islam was killed since he had a reputation as a helpful person. Islam was a councillor from Union Council 16. The MQM accused terrorists of trying to sabotage a peaceful democratic process.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso condemned the incident. The President sought immediate action into the killing and expressed sympathies for the bereaved family.

The prime minister asked the authorities to submit report over the incident within 24 hours. He also ordered that security of all candidates participating in the May 11 general elections should be tightened to ensure that such ghastly incidents did not occur again.

According to other sources, Taliban gunmen reportedly killed Islam. One report said Taliban spokesperson Ahsanullah Ahsan claimed responsibility for the murder. The Taliban threatened to attack MQM members for the party spoke in fvour of civil liberties.

The ensuing elections in Pakistan are historic for it will, for first time in the country's history, ensure that a democratically elected government hands over power to another democratically elected government.

OneIndia News