When asked who he was facing life threats from, the injured MQM leader said he and his associates were ordinary political workers belonging to the masses and susceptible of getting killed by “anyone”.
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A senior Pakistani lawmaker was critically wounded today in an assassination attempt when two motorcycle-borne gunmen opened fire at the MQM leader’s vehicle killing his driver in the country’s commercial capital. “Godil was targetted after being identified”, he added. Godil sustained five gunshot wounds to his neck, arm and jaw and immediately underwent surgery at a nearby hospital.
About the attack, police said the assailants were riding three bikes.
Talking to media outside Liaquat National Hospital, he said the MQM dispatched to the government many letters regarding the security of its MNAs and MPAs; but, no corresponding measures were taken up.
Tuesday’s attack took place as talks began at MQM’s Karachi headquarters with intermediaries trying to convince the party’s lawmakers to withdraw their resignations from parliament that were submitted last week in protest against the crackdown.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) agreed on Tuesday to continue the dialogue for the former’s return to the assemblies.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued a statement condemning the assault and saying he was praying for Godil’s recovery.
The firing comes per week after people of the MQM, which characterizes politics in Karachi, provided their resignations in parliament from their chairs.
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The attack was an attempt to derail the talks, said Fazl-ur-Rehman, the leader of another minority party and the government’s representative in the negotiations.
