Election in NA-254 postponed as ANP candidate shot dead

KARACHI: Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Sadiq Zaman Khattak and his six year old son were gunned down in the Bilal Colony area of the city. Khattak was the ANP candidate for NA-254.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that the election for NA-254 (Karachi-16) has been postponed.

Unknown gunmen riding on motorcycles opened fire on Khattak outside a mosque located in the area. According to hospital sources five people were injured in the firing.

ANP leader Zahid Khan said the murder FIR of Khattak would be lodged against the Interior Minister, Chief Minister Sindh and the Election Commission.

ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan condemned the attack and said the three liberal parties of the country were being targeted while others were holding election rallies. Khan also held the caretaker government and Election Commission responsible for the murder of ANP candidates.

The killing of Khattak was also condemned by MQM chief Altaf Hussain who said moderate parties were the target of terrorists.

Election Offices and candidates from the ANP, PPP and MQM have been attacked in Karachi in the run-up to the general elections.