Wednesday, November 05, 2008
By Shamim Bano
Karachi
Soyem of President Balochistan National Party Zahid Baloch, commonly known as Zahid BSO, was held in Lyari on Tuesday amidst tension and fear in the area. The 38-year-old slain Baloch leader had married some eight months ago.
Provincial Minister Rafiq Engineer, Town Nazim Mehmood Hashim and UC Nazims and leaders of various political and social orgainsations attended his Soyem which was held at his residence.
Former Balochistan MPA Akber Mengal and Deputy Secretary General BNP Jehanzeb Baloch had specially flown in from Balochistan to attend his Soyem.
The city president of BNP (Akhter Mengal group) Zahid Baloch was shot dead on Saturday evening in the jurisdiction of Gulbahar police station.
He was an active political leader and was also known for introducing Baloch culture in the city.
The entire Lyari and Baloch-dominated areas were shut in protest against the killing of the Baloch leader. BNP workers and activists blocked the National Highway early Tuesday morning, creating massive disruption in traffic and suspending intercity bus service. The activists were shouting slogans against the government and demanded immediate arrest of the killers.
Tension prevailed at National Highway as intercity buses were forcibly stopped by the emotionally-charged Baloch activists and workers who held the provincial government and its ally responsible for the incident.
All the shopping centres and markets remained closed for a third consecutive day and tension prevailed in Baloch dominated areas - Ranchore Line, Tharo Lane, Guru Mandir, Jehangir Road, Garden, Purana Golimar, Patel Wali Gali, Memon Goth (Malir), Sahibdad Goth, Mauripur, Translyari and Hub areas. All the schools remained closed in Lyari, while vegetable and milk shops in Lea Market also remained shut.
Talking to The News, Deputy Secretary BNP Jehanzeb Baloch held the government responsible for the incident, saying that none of the authorities had yet contacted any of the party officials as if nothing had happened in the city.
With regard to the formation of inquiry team and conducting investigation, he said Balochs have some reservation on the attitude of the government, which is prejudiced. He linked the murder of Zahid Baloch to slain Anwer Bhaijan who, the government said, was murdered by drug sellers. Similarly, he added, the probe team had blamed land grabbers in the killing of former PPP MPA Abdullah Murad.
It will be useless to demand for an investigation into the Zahids murder since the government always adopts callous attitude in such matters, he added.
Jehanzeb mentioned that cultural activities were revived in Lyari in the mid of August after five years of tension and a grand gala was held by Baloch Cultural Society where Zahid Baloch was the chief guest. Zahid Baloch was also the president of Baloch Khidmat Foundation and he rendered services for the community. |
