RAWALPINDI: Raja Shoaib Iqbal, the nephew of former Punjab law minister Raja Basharat, was gunned down and four others were injured in a clash with supporters of the ruling PML-N during the final phase of local government election here on Saturday.

The incident occurred about half an hour before the end of polling at the Government Girls’ Primary School, Ward 3, UC-86 Dhamial.

Mr Iqbal, who was settled in England, had returned to assist his cousin Raja Moeen Sultan — who was running as an independent — with his election campaign

Police reports suggested that the incident was sparked by a commotion at the women’s polling station. Ruling party candidate Asad Mehmood intervened to settle the matter, but the detente didn’t last. When Asad Mehmood’s brother Ikhlaq Mehmood and his supporters reached the scene, they clashed with Mr Sultan’s supporters.

During the skirmish, bullets allegedly fired by Ikhlaq Mehmood hit Raja Shoaib, killing him on the spot and injuring four others.

The polling station had already been categorised as most sensitive, or A+, by police. However, there were no CCTV cameras there, nor were Rangers or army personnel deployed at the scene.

Raja Basharat termed this the most tragic incident in the history of hundred years of Rawalpindi. “It is an unfortunate incident, especially at a time when the PML-N is in government, both at the centre and in Punjab.”

He demanded that a case be registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act and that the accused be brought to justice.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2015