Former MQM MNA Ali Raza Abidi killed in Karachi gun attack

KARACHI: Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Syed Ali Raza  Abidi  has been killed in a drive-by targeted attack  in Karachi, family and police said. 

The gun attack took place outside his residence at Khayaban-e-Ghazi. 

According to police, unknown gunmen opened fire on Abidi's vehicle and sped away.   SSP South told media that Abidi was shot in head and neck as soon as he got off his car outside his home.  

The 46-year-old former lawmaker was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. 

Police confirmed that Ali Raza Abidi passed away during treatment. 

Ikhlaq Abidi, father of the deceased, told media persons that gunmen riding a motorcycle targeted his son and escaped. 

A heavy continent of Rangers and police reached Mr Abidi's house and cordoned off the area to collect evidence. 

This comes two days after two Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) workers were gunned down in Usmania Society.

Earlier this month, six people were wounded when a  low-intensity blast hit an MQM's Milad gathering in Gulistan-e-Johar. 

In the 2018 general elections, Ali Raza Abidi  had contested against Imran Khan in NA-243, Karachi.  

According to sources, he was on the hit list of sectarian outfits. 

The deceased was an active social media user and in his last tweet, he had criticized the ruling party. 

Speaking to Geo, Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar strongly condemned the killing of Ali Raza Abidi. 

He lamented that his security was withdrawn despite threats to his life. "I am on my way to hospital. It's a tragic incident." "I worked with him a lot. He was a good person. "

JI Karachi Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman also expressed his condolence at the death of former MQM MNA. "Unfortunately, the culture of target killing was promoted in this city."

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has take notice of the killing of Ali Raza Abidi and directed police chief to submit a report. 

"It's a conspiracy to disturb law and order situation in the city," the chief minister. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan has also take notice of the assassination of Abidi and asked police to submit a report. 

In a press statement, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly condemned the murder of Ali Raza Abidi. 

"The murder of Ali Raza Abid is a conspiracy to disturb peace in Karachi, province and the country. The real killers of Ali Raza Abidi will be arrested," he said.