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Assassination Shakes New Round of Voting in Pakistan Assassination Shakes New Round of Voting in Pakistan
(35 minutes later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Voters in an upscale district of Karachi turned out in low numbers on Sunday for a repeat of the parliamentary election there, a day after a prominent official in Imran Khan’s political party was gunned down in the area, officials said. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Voters in an upscale district of Karachi turned out in low numbers on Sunday for a repeat of the parliamentary election there, a day after a prominent official in a major political party was gunned down in the area, officials said.
The district was a focus for accusations of election fraud during national voting on May 11, and voting there was suspended early that day after reports of violent intimidation. In particular, Mr. Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which has made inroads among affluent Karachi voters, blamed the dominant party in the city, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, of trying to head off his supporters from the polls. The district was a focus for accusations of election fraud during national voting on May 11, and voting there was suspended early that day after reports of violent intimidation. In particular, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf — a party led by the former cricket star Imran Khan that has made inroads among affluent Karachi voters — blamed the dominant party in the city, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, of trying to prevent his supporters from reaching the polls.
Then, late Saturday, a co-founder of Mr. Khan’s party, Zahra Shahid Hussain, 60, was shot dead outside her home in the same district. Police officials described the shooting as an attempted robbery gone awry. But Mr. Khan and other party leaders immediately blamed the MQM party as having been involved — an accusation that MQM officials denied. Then, late Saturday, a co-founder of Mr. Khan’s party, Zahra Shahid Hussain, 60, was shot to death outside her home in the same Karachi district, known as NA-250. Police officials described the shooting as an attempted robbery gone awry. But Mr. Khan and other party leaders immediately blamed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement as having been involved — an accusation that movement officials denied.
In a statement, Mr. Khan directly held Altaf Hussain, the leader of MQM who lives in London and is sought for questioning or arrest in Pakistan on several charges, responsible for the killing. Mr. Khan said Mr. Hussain “had openly threatened PTI workers and leaders through public broadcasts.” In a statement, Mr. Khan directly held Altaf Hussain, the leader of M.Q.M., who lives in London and is sought for questioning or arrest in Pakistan on several charges, responsible for the killing. Mr. Khan said Mr. Hussain “had openly threatened P.T.I. workers and leaders through public broadcasts.”
“I also hold the British Government responsible, as I had warned them to act against Altaf Hussain after his open threats to kill PTI workers. Unfortunately, the British Government did nothing to stop his calls to violence and killings,” Mr. Khan said in his statement. “I also hold the British government responsible, as I had warned them to act against Altaf Hussain after his open threats to kill P.T.I. workers. Unfortunately, the British government did nothing to stop his calls to violence and killings,” Mr. Khan said in his statement.
It was another example of how violence and politics remain closely intertwined in Karachi, a sprawling port metropolis that has long been riven by political turf wars that leave staggering body counts.It was another example of how violence and politics remain closely intertwined in Karachi, a sprawling port metropolis that has long been riven by political turf wars that leave staggering body counts.
The killing on Saturday had an immediate effect on the voter turnout, despite the presence of Army troops within polling places, officials said. Around 86,316 voters were registered for voting in the district, known here as NA-250, and turnout is usually quite high there. But as polling came to a close at 5 p.m., elections officials said that perhaps 10 percent of registered voters had cast a ballot — a stark contrast with the record 60 percent nationwide average turnout on election day. The killing on Saturday had an immediate effect on the voter turnout, despite the presence of army troops at polling places, officials said. Around 86,316 voters were registered to vote in the district, and turnout is usually quite high there. But as polling came to a close at 5 p.m., elections officials said that perhaps 10 percent of registered voters had cast a ballot — a stark contrast to the record 60 percent nationwide turnout on Election Day.
Politicians and analysts expressed outrage over Ms. Hussain’s killing, praising her for her dedication and courage. “She was a very hardworking, eloquent and progressive woman,” said Shmaisa Rehman, a political talk show host with Pakistan Television. Ms. Rehman said she had spoken to one of Ms. Hussain’s two daughters, but that the family was not making public comments about the killing. Politicians and analysts praised Ms. Hussain for her dedication and courage. “She was a very hardworking, eloquent and progressive woman,” said Shumaisa Rehman, a political talk show host with Pakistan Television. Ms. Rehman said she had spoken to one of Ms. Hussain’s two daughters after her death, but that the family would not yet speak publicly about the killing.

Zia ur-Rehman contributed reporting from Karachi, Pakistan.

Zia ur-Rehman contributed reporting from Karachi, Pakistan.