Karachi - Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Sadiq Zaman Khattak, contesting for NA-254 Karachi, was gunned down along with his four-year-old son by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in Bilal Colony on Friday.
Following the killing, the Election Commission postponed polls in the constituency while the ANP gave a mourning call in the port city for today.
Spokesperson for outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed the responsibility of the killing.
Sadiq Zaman Khattak and his son Ahmed Saddiq were shot dead by four motorcyclists near a mosque in Bilal Colony area of Korangi when they were going back after offering Friday prayers.
Seven persons including another son of Sadiq Khattak were injured in the attack and were taken to the hospital for medical aid.
Following the incident, markets were shut in the area.
TheNation received an email by the TTP spokesperson that states: “The so called general elections are going to be held under the secular democratic system in a country which came into being under the banner of Islamic doctrine, which is contrary to the secularism. We cannot prefer human beings on our LORD the merciful and mighty. A man cannot be secular and Muslim at a time. These are two different doctrines.
“The first reason for the political parties being under attack by the TTP is their secular doctrine and the other main and basic reason is that these are the main responsible for the Burning-FATA, Swat and KPK. They are responsible for displacement of millions of people, for the plight of Pashtoon Nation, for their abandoned villages, for the destroyed mosques for military operations and for the blood game since years.
“Now they are suffering for their sins, Tehreek Taliban Pakistan will always avenge for the oppressed.”
Some 28 people have been killed in attacks on secular parties in Karachi that crippled their election campaigns.
Staff Reporter from Islamabad adds: ANP spokesman Senator Zahid Khan, while condemning the murder of his party election candidate, Sadiq Zaman Khattak, announced to register a case against Interior Minister, caretaker Chief Minister Sindh and Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
According to media reports, the spokesman said that FIR of the killing would be registered against the caretaker CM Sindh, ECP and Interior Minister as they have taken back security from ANP candidates.
Moreover, the ECP admitted that security of candidates is the primary responsibility of government and terrorists are acting freely but government is doing nothing against them.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has strongly condemned the firing incident in Karachi resulting in the killing of ANP candidate Sadiq Zaman Khattak and his son on Friday. He expressed shock and grief over the incident.
The Prime Minister directed the provincial government to submit a comprehensive report regarding the incident and track those responsible for this heinous crime and bring them to book.
The Prime Minister also directed the provincial authorities to beef up the security of the candidates.