ASWJ Punjab president gunned down in Lahore

Published December 6, 2013
Protesters, some brandishing guns, gather outside a hospital following the killing of Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia, chief of the ASWJ for Punjab province,  in Lahore on Dec 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Protesters, some brandishing guns, gather outside a hospital following the killing of Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia, chief of the ASWJ for Punjab province, in Lahore on Dec 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Protesters, some brandishing guns, gather outside a hospital following the killing of Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia, chief of the ASWJ for Punjab province,  in Lahore on Dec 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Protesters, some brandishing guns, gather outside a hospital following the killing of Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia, chief of the ASWJ for Punjab province, in Lahore on Dec 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo
Police officials examine the bullet-riddled vehicle of ASWJ leader Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia after an attack by gunmen in Lahore on December 6, 2013.—AFP Photo

LAHORE: The provincial leader of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia, was shot dead Friday by unknown gunmen in Lahore.

The drive-by shooting took place as Muavia travelled by car to the northern Harbans Pura neighbourhood.

“Two gunmen riding a motorbike opened fire on Muavia's vehicle, wounding him and his driver critically,” said senior local police official, Rana Abdul Jabbar.

He said Muavia and his driver were rushed to hospital where the ASWJ provincial chief died of his bullet wounds.

“We are investigating the incident but it apparently seems to be a target killing,” Jabbar added.

Jabbar said the attack was a conspiracy to spread terrorism and sectarian violence, however, any such attempt would not be allowed to succeed.

The driver remains in a critical condition, Jabbar said.

The ASWJ spokesman Qasim Farooqi confirmed the incident and said the provincial chief was on his way to a meeting when the attack took place.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the killing.

The shooting comes just three days after gunmen shot dead a senior Shia leader of the Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM), Allama Deedar Ali Jalbani, in Karachi.

ASWJ leader Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi said in a tweet that the killing was part of a “big plot” and that “the situation is now getting out of control.” Another party official tweeted that “party workers should be ready to protest countrywide.”

Around 150 protesters had gathered in the capital of Islamabad, police said, and nearby markets were closed in case of violence. Extra police were deployed to mosques there and in Pakistan's financial heart of Karachi.

In Lahore, up to 500 enraged protesters, some brandishing automatic weapons, gathered in the central Anarkali neighbourhood and burnt tyres, an official said.

“We ordered shops in and around Anarkali area to be closed in order to prevent any loss to public property as the demonstrators got violent,” he added.

The ASWJ announced that funeral prayers for the slain leader will be held in Lahore on Saturday afternoon.

Opinion

Editorial

System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....
Time to deliver
Updated 11 Nov, 2024

Time to deliver

Pakistan must display a serious commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation at home.
Smaller government
11 Nov, 2024

Smaller government

THE IMF bailout programme has put the government under pressure to curtail its spending, especially current...
Unsafe inheritance
11 Nov, 2024

Unsafe inheritance

DESPITE regulations, the troubling practice of robbing women of their rightful inheritance — the culprits are ...