KARACHI, Oct 8: A former federal minister of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement escaped on Wednesday night an attempt on his life when unknown attackers opened fire on his car in Bilalabad, a shantytown near Pahar Ganj, police and witnesses said.

They said Shamim Ahmed Siddiqui was on his way when his car came under heavy fire forcing him to leave the vehicle and take shelter in a nearby house.

The witnesses said the gunmen also surrounded the house and resorted to heavy firing till the Shahrah-i-Noorjahan police arrived there to rescue Mr Siddiqui.