Pakistan’s leading human rights activist shot dead
Khurram Zaki, a leading Pakistani rights activist known for his strong stance against hatred and violence targeted at Shia Muslims, and his friend, were shot dead by motorbike-borne Taliban militants here in an apparent sectarian attack.
Mr. Zaki (40) was having dinner on Saturday with his friend Rao Khalid at a restaurant when four armed assailants came on two motorcycles and sprayed bullets. Both Mr. Zaki and Mr. Khalid were rushed to a hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. A bystander named Aslam was also injured in the firing.
Taliban’s claim
The Hakimullah Mehsud faction of the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to the media.
The group said Mr. Zaki was targeted for his views on Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz. Police, however, said it could not confirm the claim by the Taliban faction.
A senior police investigator said it was more likely a case of targeted killing and sectarian attack as both men killed belonged to the Shia community.
Mr. Zaki, a social media campaigner, civil society activist, blogger, journalist and religious scholar, was known for his strong views on the Lal Masjid cleric. He came into the limelight last year when he led the campaign against Mr. Aziz for inciting hatred against Shia Muslims and got a case registered against him.
Mr. Zaki also gained fame when he launched a Facebook page “Let Us Build Pakistan” (LUBP) and became editor of a website devoted to working for human rights and spreading liberal religious views.
The page was recently blocked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.
Probe ordered
Following Mr. Zaki’s murder, Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Sial ordered a probe and sought report from police within 48 hours.
Meanwhile, protesters carried the body of Mr. Zaki to the Chief Minister’s House and staged a protest.
“For the last one year, Khurram Zaki was a target of a systematic hate campaign organised by Deobandi fanatic, Shamsuddin Amjad of the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, in collaboration with the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan,” Ali Abbas Taj, LUBP’s editor, said in a statement. He added that after Irfan Khudi Ali of Quetta, Mr. Zaki is the second LUBP editorial team member killed by “Takfiri Deobandi militants”.
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan-based terror groups such as LeT, the Taliban, JeM and al-Qaeda target India's interests and goals in Afghanistan Read more
