KHAIRPUR, Oct 12: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Friday gave Rs300,000 each to relatives of the four Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers who lost their lives in the attack on a Khairpur rally earlier this month.

The victims — Zafar Ali, Raza Mehdi, Dilshad and Muneer, all belonging to the Janwari clan — were residents of Sadoro Janwari village.

The chief minister also visited the Civil Hospital Khairpur to inquire about the health of those who were injured in the attack on the rally in Sadoro Janwari village and gave Rs100,000 each to their families as well.

Later in the day, he also visited Ameer Bux Khand village in Kingri taluka to condole with the father of journalist Mushtaque Khand who also lost his life at the PPP gathering.

The chief minister also handed over Rs300,000 to Mr Khand’s father, Qalandar Bux Khand.

Speaking to the media after his condolence visit, the chief minister said that the attack on the PPP gathering was actually an attack on democracy and it was a significant event in the political history of Khairpur district.

“People who sacrificed their lives in the attack have sacrificed their lives for the country, nation and democracy,” he said.

“Journalist Mushtaque Khand lost his life in the line of duty and the contribution of the journalist community in restoring democracy and sustaining it can never be forgotten.”

He said every party has a right to hold public gatherings, but the PPP’s opponents were showing immoral behaviour. However, he added, the PPP had never resorted to revenge and in this instance as well it would contest such acts by the due legal and political process.