February 15, 2008	Friday	Safar 07, 1429

KARACHI, Feb 14: Electioneering came almost to a standstill in Shah Faisal Colony on Thursday after Wednesday midnight tension between activists of the Pakistan People’s Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement led to an exchange of fire, in which a PPP worker was killed and half a dozen activists from both sides were wounded.

The clashes reportedly erupted when unknown gunmen opened fire at a PPP corner meeting in the Drig Road Cantt Bazaar area, killing a PPP worker and wounding five others. After a few minutes, an MQM public gathering also came under attack and an MQM worker was wounded. Motorcycles parked outside the PPP meeting venue were also set on fire.

Police and area people said the firing that took place at the two gatherings led to fierce armed clashes between the rival parties and caused panic in the area, where a majority of shopkeepers kept their businesses closed on Thursday.

Apart from Qaiser Bangash, who died in the clashes, four injured PPP activists and an MQM worker, wounded in the clashes, were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

The MQM’s National Assembly candidate from the NA-253 constituency alleged that the PPP was behind the late night attack on the MQM gathering, which led to an exchange of fire and killing of a ‘passerby’.

On behalf of the MQM, Sharea Faisal police registered an FIR against Faisal Raza Abidi, a PPP candidate for the National Assembly from the NA-256 constituency.

“We have already informed the police authorities about our concerns as we had noticed PPP activists provoking our workers before the meeting,” said Iqbal Mohammad Ali, the MQM candidate from the constituency.

He claimed that the dead and wounded people were area residents, who were trapped in the shootout. However, he said, an MQM activist, Deen Mohammad, was seriously wounded and was being treated at the JPMC.

Police said security arrangements were made in line with the parties’ demand and the firing incident should not be termed a result of inadequate measures.

“Timely action from the police force saved the area from major trouble,” said Javed Meher, SP of Shah Faisal Town. “The situation is normal and there is no law and order problem as such after the last night incident.”

He said the police had registered an FIR against four PPP workers, including Faisal Raza Abidi, the PPP candidate on behalf of the MQM. However, he said, the PPP which lost its worker in the incident did not approach the police station for the registration of an FIR.

“We are not biased. We are bound to receive a complaint from the aggrieved party for formal registration of a case. We haven’t received any complain from the PPP,” he said.

However, the PPP leadership rejected the authorities’ claims and alleged that the whole government machinery was being used to support pro-Pervez Musharraf parties, including the MQM.

“It’s unfortunate that we lost our worker and were not allowed to lodged an FIR against the culprits,” said Rashid Rabbani, the PPP Karachi president.

He said all the people injured in the shooting were PPP activists, two of whom were kidnapped, tortured and left in deserted areas late in the night.

In a statement issued from the Bilawal House on Thursday, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari condemned the armed attack on the party’s election office in Shah Faisal Colony, in which a PPP worker was killed and several others wounded.

Mr Zardari said the incident was aimed at sabotaging the upcoming general election.