Leading Pakistan politician Zahra Shahid Hussain killed outside home

Leading Pakistan politician Zahra Shahid Hussain killed outside home.

Reports suggested that Zahra Shahid Hussain, who was senior vice-president of the PTI, was killed while resisting an attempted robbery in the upmarket Defence neighbourhood of the city. Police said that she was ambushed by two people on a motorcycle. "The assailants opened fire on Zahra, 60, as soon as she reached the gate of her residence. Apparently they were there to target her only," an official said.

An eyewitness said that she handed the attackers her belongings, but was then shot, according to reports. Police superintendent Nasir Aftab said that initial findings suggested the killing was a purse snatching that went wrong. He said that, according to Hussain's daughter, her mother got into their car to leave. The driver drove the car out and was locking up the gate when two men on a motorcycle pulled up and tried to snatch her purse. "When she resisted, they shot her."

Hussain died on her way to hospital, it was reported. Imran Khan blamed the city's dominant MQM party, a claim the party has denied, and the British government, for Hussain's murder in a series of tweets. "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal killing of Zara Shahid Hussain, Zara apa to us, in Karachi tonite. A targeted act of terror!

"I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder as he had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts.

"I also hold the British Govt responsible as I had warned them abt Br citizen Altaf Hussain after his open threats to kill PTI workers."

MQM television said on its facebook page: "As per Zahra Shahid Hussain's daughter and driver, the eyewitnesses, it was a street crime related murder. She got killed resisting a robbery." MQM leader Altaf Hussain has also condemned the killing.

Dr Arif Alvi, the former secretary-general of PTI, tweeted: "I condemn the murder of Zahra Shahid Hussein my dear colleague & demand the arrest of the killers immediately. May her soul rest in peace."

Hussain's murder comes on the eve of a highly contested partial rerun of the vote in the area following last Saturday's general election.

Source: The Guardian 

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