KARACHI: A local leader of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) was killed in a targeted attack in Rawalpindi on Sunday while the central president of the party, Aurangzeb Farooqi, escaped a bid on his life in Karachi late on Saturday.

Maulana Mazhar Siddiqui, the spokesperson of the ASWJ's Rawalpindi chapter was targeted on Sunday morning near Pirwadhai More within the precincts of the Rawalpindi's Golra police station.

In another incident, ASWJ's central president was targeted by unknown gunmen near Quaidabad bridge area in Karachi on Saturday night.

The ASWJ leader escaped unhurt in the attack while three of his bodyguard sustained injuries, according to a party spokesperson.

A large number of police and Rangers personnel reached the spot and cordoned off the area as a probe into the incident went underway.

SSP Rao Anwar said that the vehicle of the religious party leader was travelling from Quaidabad to Nagan Chowrangi when it was fired upon by unknown gunmen who were positioned on top of Quaidabad bridge.

He added that no loss of life was reported in the incident.

It is pertinent to mention here that at least six people, including four policemen, a personal security guard and a driver of Mr Farooqui, were killed when gunmen attacked them on Rashid Minhas Road on Dec 25 2012.

Opinion

Editorial

Writing on the wall
27 Jul, 2026

Writing on the wall

EVERY few months, another set of figures reminds Pakistan of a painful reality. Sahil’s latest Six Months Cruel...
Still unprepared
27 Jul, 2026

Still unprepared

EVEN as Pakistan counts around 100 deaths since the onset of the monsoon season on June 26, it is bracing for ...
Delayed devolution
27 Jul, 2026

Delayed devolution

THE debate over Islamabad’s reluctance to fully let go of devolved subjects has been running since 2010. But it ...
Quid pro quo
Updated 26 Jul, 2026

Quid pro quo

Accepting Israel would mean legitimising its violence against the Palestinians, as well as its neighbouring Arab states and Iran.
AI in government
26 Jul, 2026

AI in government

THE Prime Minister’s Office has announced the introduction of an AI-powered digital system and directed ministries...
Cautious optimism
26 Jul, 2026

Cautious optimism

THE latest polio surveillance figures offer some encouraging news regarding the difficult fight against polio. The...