KHUZDAR: A local leader of Pakistan Peoples Party and a prominent businessman, Haji Ali Hassan Mohammad Hasni, was shot dead by ‘dacoits’ at his house, in Khuzdar town, police claimed on Sunday.

They said a group of dacoits barged into the house of the PPP leader in Bazgir area on the outskirts of Khuzdar town, and took all family members hostage in the early hours of Sunday morning.

They looted gold ornaments, mobile phones and other valuables from the house of the PPP leader, the police said.

While leaving, they opened fire on the PPP leader, killing him on the spot and escaped.

“It appears to be an incident of dacoity,” police officer Abdul Aziz Khadrani told Dawn.

He, however, did not rule out the possibility of the attack being an incident of targeted killing, as investigation was still on.

The police officer said Mr Hasni was also the president of Jhalawan Fruit and Vegetable Association.

The body was taken to Khuzdar district hospital before being handed over to family members.

The relatives of the PPP leader later took the body to the National Highway where they staged a protest, blocking traffic between Khuzdar and Karachi.

Later, on the assurances of the local administration, the family members ended their protest sit-in and the Quetta-Karachi Highway was reopened for traffic.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2024