KARACHI, April 12: The entire central leadership of the Sunni Tehrik has been wiped out in Tuesday’s blast at Nishtar Park. Its chief Mohammad Abbas Quaderi, Maulana Iftikhar Ahmad Bhatti, Maulana Ikram Quaderi and Dr Abdul Qadeer were among those who were killed in the blast.

The other prominent leaders of the Ahle Sunnat who were also killed in the tragedy included Hafiz Mohammad Taqi of Markazi Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Qari Mukhtar Qaderi of Darul Uloom Amjadia, Federal B Area, Haji Mohammad Hanif Billo, President of Awam Ahle Sunnat, and Sahibzada Faridul Hsnain Kazmi.

The Sunni Tehrik has lost over 65 activists during last 15 years. Its first prominent leader, who became victim of the target killing on May 18, 2001, was its chairman Saleem Quaderi.

Hafiz Taqi started his political career by joining Anjuman Talba-i-Islam in 1974 and was elected its president. Later, he was given ticket by PNA in 1977 and 1979 to contest Sindh Assembly seat but the elections were cancelled. In 1981, he joined Pakistan Istehkam Council of late Zahoor-ul-Hasan Bhopali and in 1985 non-party elections, he was elected MPA and became minister for religious affairs.

In 1993 elections, he was elected MNA on PML ticket. In 2000, he again joined JUP and was made President of its Karachi chapter and by virtue of the post of JUP Karachi president, he became chief of MMA Karachi chapter. After the death of late Allama Shah Ahmad Noorani, he had joined the Markazi Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, led by Maulana Fazl-i-Karim recently.

Haji Hanif Billo, who was President of Tehrik Awam Ahle Sunnat, was a prominent social worker. He hails from Bantwa Memon Jamaat who inherited pharmacy business from his grandfather. Because of his social services, he became chief of All-Pakistan Wholesale Druggists and Chemists Association and Chairman of Haj-Umra Committee Karachi.

Mohammad Abbas Quaderi, 40, was born in Lines Area and got his initial education in the same locality. In the initial stage, he was made in charge of Dawaat-i-Islami of the local chapter, after the formation of Sunni Tehrik, he joined the party and after the death of Saleem Quaderi, became chief of the party.

Iftikahr Bhatti and Akram Quaderi were among founding leaders of the party while Dr Abdul Qadeer Abbasi, 40, was a member of the legal aid committee of the party.