Nabeel Gabol booked for Zafar Baloch’s murder MQM condemns

The News 21 Sept 2013 Karachi The Lyari police claimed on Friday to have registered a case against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Nabeel Gabol and four unidentified suspects for murdering Zafar Baloch on the complaint of the slain Baloch activist’s father. Zafar, a prominent leader of the outlawed People’s Amn Committee, was gunned down by armed motorcyclists along with his aide in Lyari on September 18 hours after three alleged gangsters were killed in an encounter with law enforcers. SSP City Faisal Bashir Memon told The News that Kalakot police had registered a case on the complaint of Muhammad Ali Baloch who nominated Gabol and four unidentified men. Zafar’s father wrote in his statement that the attack on his son was carried out at the behest of Gabol, he said. The complainant also told police that he had seen the attackers and could identify them if they were brought before him. The case has been registered under sections 302 (murder), 109 (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention). However, the Kalakot police and even SP City Shah Nawaz Khan expressed ignorance about the registration of the case. ‘Political revenge’ Condemning the registration of the murder case against Gabol, the MQM Rabita Committee termed the case “a continuation of political revenge”. In a statement, the MQM leaders said the MNA was in Islamabad to attend the National Assembly session when Zafar was killed. They claimed the Baloch leader was killed near the notorious Bizenjo Chowk in Chakiwara, which is considered the den of Lyari-based gangsters, but despite this a case was registered against the MQM leader. This showed the authorities’ bias and enmity towards the Altaf Hussain-led party, which was highly condemnable, they said. The MQM Rabita Committee added that a few days ago, another false case was registered against former MPA of MQM Nadeem Hashmi but it was proved after an impartial enquiry that the charges were false and he was acquitted. They appealed to the president, prime minister and interior minister to take notice of the “illegal and unjust act” and take back the case against Gabol. The MQM leaders also called for stopping the political victimisation of party leaders and supporters.