Pak legislator, 3 others gunned down in Karachi

Karachi: A Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader and three others, including two policemen, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in this southern Pakistani port city on Thursday, triggering protests by the party`s workers.

Manzar Imam, a member of the Sindh Assembly, and a bodyguard were killed instantly in Orangi Town area of Karachi. Two policemen assigned to protect Imam died later in hospital, police officials said. The attackers, who were riding motorcycles, escaped after the shooting. No group claimed responsibility for the incident. MQM leaders said Imam may have been targeted for speaking out against attacks on the minority Shia community. Immediately after the killing, protests by MQM workers erupted at several places across Pakistan`s largest city. The MQM is a member of the Pakistan People’s Party-led governments at the centre and in southern Sindh province. Karachi has for long been troubled by political and sectarian violence. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf condemned the assassination of Imam. Zardari directed authorities to make every effort to nab the killers. The MQM announced a three-day mourning period while it was announced that all private schools would also remain closed tomorrow. The Tehreek-e-Taliban have accepted responsibility for the killing of MQM legislator Manzar Imam today. Karachi will remain shut down tomorrow after traders and transporters` associations announced they would observe the mourning day. PTI