Repeat poll held despite aide killing
Source: AFP |
May 20, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
UNDER tight security, Pakistani officials yesterday held a repeat election in a district of violence-plagued Karachi, despite the killing of a senior politician in the city the day before.
Troops, police and paramilitary rangers backed by armored personnel carriers guarded the 43 polling stations in the NA-250 constituency, following claims of ballot-stuffing there during the May 11 general election.
An election official said turnout was initially assessed at above 40 percent despite scorching weather and the shooting late Saturday of an official from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of Imran Khan.
Zohra Hussain, 59, vice president of the party's women's wing in Sindh province, was targeted by three men on a motorcycle outside her home in an upmarket part of Karachi.
Her death was the latest following an bloody poll campaign marked by over 150 killings.
Former cricket star Khan was quick to pin the blame on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement party, which represents the Urdu-speaking majority, and specifically its boss Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London.
"I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder as he had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts," Khan said on his Twitter feed, describing the killing as "a targeted act of terror".
"I also hold the British government responsible as I had warned them about British citizen Altaf Hussain after his open threats to kill PTI workers," he said, adding that he was "shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal killing."
Altaf Hussain condemned the attack in a statement and demanded a "judicial inquiry to get to the culprits".
Firdous Shamim, a local PTI leader, said that Zohra Hussain "was leaving her home for some work when three gunmen attacked her. She thought they wanted to snatch her purse and handed it over to them but they killed her."
Police said all three gunmen escaped after the attack.
The motive behind the shooting was unclear and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Troops, police and paramilitary rangers backed by armored personnel carriers guarded the 43 polling stations in the NA-250 constituency, following claims of ballot-stuffing there during the May 11 general election.
An election official said turnout was initially assessed at above 40 percent despite scorching weather and the shooting late Saturday of an official from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party of Imran Khan.
Zohra Hussain, 59, vice president of the party's women's wing in Sindh province, was targeted by three men on a motorcycle outside her home in an upmarket part of Karachi.
Her death was the latest following an bloody poll campaign marked by over 150 killings.
Former cricket star Khan was quick to pin the blame on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement party, which represents the Urdu-speaking majority, and specifically its boss Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London.
"I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder as he had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts," Khan said on his Twitter feed, describing the killing as "a targeted act of terror".
"I also hold the British government responsible as I had warned them about British citizen Altaf Hussain after his open threats to kill PTI workers," he said, adding that he was "shocked and deeply saddened by the brutal killing."
Altaf Hussain condemned the attack in a statement and demanded a "judicial inquiry to get to the culprits".
Firdous Shamim, a local PTI leader, said that Zohra Hussain "was leaving her home for some work when three gunmen attacked her. She thought they wanted to snatch her purse and handed it over to them but they killed her."
Police said all three gunmen escaped after the attack.
The motive behind the shooting was unclear and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.
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