KARACHI, Feb 9: An activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was shot dead in Manzoor Colony, Mehmoodabad on Sunday night. Police said Haji Mohammad Hanif, 38, was shot dead by unidentified armed men in Manzoor Colony. The victim's body was shifted to a hospital for autopsy.

Jamshed Town Police Officer Fayyaz Qureshi said, "Hanif was affiliated with the MQM. Shahid alias Mama has been suspected of killing Hanif." The police said that Hanif had a dispute over a petty matter with two youths.

Hanif with his associates beat the two youths, who later ran away. The whole scene was witnessed by Naseem, wife of Shahid alias Mama. She reprimanded Hanif, who in turn, also beat Naseem.

They said that Shahid got infuriated when he came to know about the incident. "We suspect Shahid alias Mama for killing Hanif," a police official said.

According to some reports received from the area, some youths forced the shopkeepers to close down their business following the incident. Reports of firing in the air were also received. Heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deployed in the troubled area to control law and order situation, the police said.

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders condemned the killing of its worker in Manzoor Colony and demanded of the government to immediately arrest the killer.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the Muttahida coordination committee said that the killing of Haji Hanif appeared to be a conspiracy to destroy peace in the city and provoking the peaceful workers of the party. The committee demanded of the government to arrest the killers and give exemplary punishment to them.

According to a press release, Muttahida's chief Altaf Hussain expressed grief over the death of Haji Hanif. He expressed sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give courage to the family to bear the loss.