Violence grips Karachi after MQM leader gunned down

At least nine people were killed and scores injured in Pakistan's financial capital Karachi On Tuesday as a fallout of political violence triggered by the shooting of an Muttahida Quami Movement leader and his brother by unidentified gunmen.

The gunmen entered the home of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Mansoor Mukhtar at PIB Colony on Tuesday morning and gunned him down. Mukhtar's brother succumbed to his injuries in hospital while his sister-in-law too was injured, MQM officials said.

On hearing of Mukhtar's killing, large number of workers of Mutthaida-e-Qaumi Movement (MQM), which has widespread support in the city, gathered outside the hospital where his body was taken.

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from various areas of Karachi, including Malir, Landhi and Nazimabad.

Nine people were killed and scores injured in many parts of the city while miscreants torched at least 48 vehicles in different areas to escalate the tension, according to police and rescue officials.

Pakistan's biggest city was deserted as markets, banks, educational institutions were shut down after the MQM gave a called for a day of mourning. The MQM lawmakers staged a walkout in Parliament which was discusses Pakistan's foreign policy.

"When the government can't control the law and order situation internally what is the purpose of discussing our foreign policy," MQM parliamentarian and senior leader Haider Abbas Rizvi told reporters outside parliament in Islamabad.

Senior MQM leader Sagheer Ahmed blamed Mansoor Mukhtar's killing on the Aman Committee, a group that is reportedly linked to leaders of the Pakistan People's Party.

Thousands attended the funeral of the two slain brothers as the MQM leadership blamed Ali Ahmed, a member of the Aman committee, for the killings.