Allama Turabi, nephew killed in suicide attack: MMA gives strike call for today

Renowned Shia scholar and MMA leader, Allama Hassan Turabi along with his nephew were killed in a suicide attack on Friday. The incident took place in the afternoon outside Turabi's house in Abbas Town. The Sindh chief of Islami Tehreek had returned after leading a rally against Israel and US for killings in Palestine at Regal Chowk, when the suicide bomber hugged him and detonated the explosives concealed in his clothes.
Allama received severe injuries and was rushed to Patel Hospital, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital, said a doctor on condition of anonymity. His nephew, Ali, who was standing beside him, was also killed on the spot. Two police constables on guard were seriously injured.
Sindh home minister, Rauf Siddiqui said that Allama Hassan Turabi was a prominent leader and his assassination was a big tragedy.
Rauf siddqui said that the city had been put on red alert and patrolling by rangers and police had been stepped up to control the law and order situation, as some miscreants would try to gain benefit from the situation, he observed. He appealed to the masses to stay calm and maintain peace in the city. Turabi was on the hit-list of unidentified elements, as he had escaped another assassination attempt on April 06 when a bomb hidden under a fruit cart was detonated, as he was getting into his car outside his home.
Shia leaders have also appealed to the masses to remain peaceful and thwart this conspiracy aimed at triggering sectarian rift in the cosmopolitan city.
Tension gripped the city after the incident and the normal civic and business activities ground to a halt.
Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad has expressed deep sense of grief over the incident and said that the murder of Allama Turabi was the result of a conspiracy to disturb the congenial atmosphere in Karachi.
He said that investigations were under way and elements behind the scene would soon be brought to book. Ibad said that he had discussions with the ulemas of different sects and all were in agreement with a strong plea that peace must be maintained at all cost.
The funeral prayers of the scholar would be held at Mehfil-e-Khurasan at 'Zuhreen' after which the final rites would be performed on Saturday. Leading clerics from all over the country would participate in the funeral.
PPI ADDS: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) has appealed Karachiites to observe peaceful strike on Saturday in protest against killing of Allama Turabi.
A MMA spokesman appealed to traders and business community, transporters, shopkeepers, labourers and people from all walks of life to observe peaceful strike.
Meanwhile, All Pakistan Organisation of Small Traders and Cottage Industries Karachi has also appealed to its members and traders to keep their businesses close.