KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Nabil Gabol has been named in the murder case of proscribed People’s Amn Committee leader Zafar Baloch, drawing severe criticism from MQM, DawnNews reported.

City division SSP Faisal Bashir Memon told Dawn that an FIR was lodged against Gabol on a complaint of Mohammad Ali Baloch, the father of the slain leader.

He explained that Mr Gabol was nominated for his alleged abetment in the murder.

The case was registered at the Kalakot police station under Sections 302 (premeditated murder), 109 (abetment) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The SP said that four other unidentified persons were also booked in the case.

Zafar Baloch, a diehard activist of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and a key figure of the outlawed Peoples Amn Committee was shot dead on September 18 by unknown motorcycle riders in Karachi’s troubled Lyari neighbourhood.

Tension and fear had gripped the city’s south district, particularly Lyari and its adjoining areas, following the killing of Baloch

Meanwhile, condemning the claim, MQM’s Rabita Committee has demanded the federal government to take notice of the ‘fake’ case against the MQM lawmaker and withdraw the FIR forthwith.

In a statement issued here, the party demanded for retraction of the murder case against their lawmaker. “Falsely involving Nabil Gabol in the murder case of Zafar Baloch is continuation of political victimization,” said the statement.

Gabol is currently in Islamabad to attend the ongoing session of lower house of the parliament.

Zafar Baloch had survived at least two attempts on his life in the past.

He remained a local PPP leader but joined the PAC when it was formed in 2008. Later he became general secretary of district south chapter of the PPP, but resigned soon after developing differences with the then PPP MNA, Nabil Gabol and provincial minister Rafiq Engineer.