Pakistan’s leading human rights activist shot dead

Islamabad, May 9: A leading Pakistani human rights activist lost his life to the bullets of Taliban militants. Zaki is known for his strong stance against hatred and violence targetted at Shia Muslims.

Zaki was having dinner with his friend on Saturday when four armed motorbike-borne men sprayed bullets. Both Zaki and his friend were rushed to the hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. Another bystander Aslam was also injured.

Taliban took responsibility of the attack saying that Zaki was targetted for his views on Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz. Police, however, could not confirm the claim by the Taliban faction.

Police investigators, however, say that the killing was more sectarian as both the men killed belonged to the Shia community.

A social media campaigner, civil society activist, blogger and journalist, Zaki is known for his strong views on the Lal Masjid cleric. He came to the limelight last year when he led the campaign against Mr Aziz for inciting hatred against Shia Muslims and got a case registered against him.

He had opened a Facebook page "Let Us Build Pakistan" (LUBP) and became an editor of a website devoted to working ofr human rights and spreading liberal religious views.

The page was blocked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

OneIndia News