Imran Khan blames exiled Altaf Hussain for killing Zohra Hussain
The former cricket star says a London-based exiled political leader is responsible for the killing of a senior party official, Zohra Hussain
Pakistani politician Imran Khan has blamed a rival political leader for the killing of a senior member of his party, who was gunned down outside her home in the violence-plagued city of Karachi.
The killing of Zohra Hussain, 59, vice-president of the women's wing of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Sindh province, came on the eve of a partial re-run in the southern city of the May 11 election.
I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible as he had threatened PTI leaders
Security was tight for yesterday's re-polling in one constituency after allegations of ballot-stuffing, with troops, police and paramilitary rangers backed up by armoured personnel carriers.
Hussain was targeted by three gunmen on a motorcycle outside her home in an upmarket part of Karachi late on Saturday, the latest killing of a bloody election campaign marked by more than 150 violent deaths.
Former cricket star Khan was quick to pin the blame on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party, which represents the Urdu-speaking majority, and specifically its boss Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London.
"I hold Altaf Hussain directly responsible for the murder as he had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts," Khan said on his Twitter feed, describing the killing as "a targeted act of terror".