6 killed, over 50 vehicles torched in Karachi violence

Pakistan

6 killed, over 50 vehicles torched in Karachi violence

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Karachi remained tense after killing of MQM workers.

27 March,2012 10:25 am

Businesses and educational institutes remained shut after violent incidents swept the city on Tuesday killing at least six people. More than fifty vehicles were also torched.The situation instensified after the killing of MQM’s sector member in PIB Colony.Fire shots were heard in PIB Colony, Gullistan-e-Johar, Lines Area, Shah Faisal Colon, Korangi and Malir area. The traffic also remained suspended in most areas.Two vehicles at Isfahani Road, a dairy supplier truck in Malir, a bus in Shah Faisal Colony, another one in North Karachi, two buses in Nagan Chowrangi, 3 buses in PIB Colony and many other vehicles in various areas were torched by angry mob. At many places make shift outlets were also burnt.The unrest was sparked by the murder of a party worker and his brother late Monday, reviving fears that the city of 18 million could return to horrifying levels of violence that left more than 1,700 people dead last year.Mansoor Mukhtar, 37, a member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the largest political party in the city, was shot dead late Monday when gunmen burst into the home where he was sleeping, police said.His brother also died and his sister-in-law was wounded in the attack in the central neighbourhood of PIB Colony, police said.Soon afterwards, armed men took to the streets and started setting fire to vehicles, in violence that left a further six people dead and more injured.Our hospitals have received a total of eight bodies of victims from todays firing incidents. They include an MQM member and his brother, said police surgeon Hamid Parhiar in the southern province Sindh, of which Karachi is the capital.At least 50 vehicles, including buses, mini buses and trucks were torched in Karachi, senior official Roshan Sheikh said.The MQM, which represents the Urdu-speaking majority and sits in President Asif Ali Zardaris governing coalition, denied any responsibility.We have been keeping Karachi peaceful for a long time and such incidents have been perpetrated by those who dont want to see our country stable and peaceful, party spokesman Wasay Jaleel told AFP.The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 1,715 people were killed in sudden flare-ups of violence in the city last year.Officials documented more than 100 deaths in one week alone in October in what was Karachis worst ethnic and political unrest in 16 years.The violence has been linked to ethnic tensions between the Mohajirs, represented by the MQM, and Pashtun migrants from Pakistans northwest affiliated to the Awami National Party (ANP).