MQM Member of Pakistan’s National Assembly Abdul Rashid Godil is out of danger but is in the hospital after being shot while sitting in his car. Gunmen shot him at least five times, wounding the lawmaker and killing his driver.
Other MQM lawmakers also threatened
According to police, four gunmen riding two motorcycles shot at Godil’s car as they drove past. Deputy Police Superintendent Nasir Lodhi said the bullets hit the opposition leader’s chest, jaw and neck, reports Reuters. Lodhi added that the assailants made sure of Godil’s identity before opening fire. Police are investigating the attack.
According to Dawn.com, the MQM leader came through emergency surgery and now was said to be in critical condition due to extreme blood loss. He is reported to be on a ventilator. Rumors suggesting that he died have been circulating, but fellow MQM Member of National Assembly Ali Raza Abidi denied those rumors and confirmed that Godil’s condition has been stabilized.
@SheerazRaza please visit Liaqat National ICU and confirm for yourself. According to me he is stable and recovering Alhamdolillah.
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) August 18, 2015
Abidi also tweeted that all of the members of the MQM party have been threatened, which could mean anyone of the opposition party’s members could be next.
All of us MQM’s MNA’s have received threats from various VOIP numbers. We have regularly informed LEA’s and media on numerous occasions.
— Syed Ali Raza Abidi (@abidifactor) August 18, 2015
MQM members resign
Twenty-four members of the National Assembly, including Godil, recently resigned in protest over several leaders’ arrests, and the government is trying to draw them back into the National Assembly. The two sides were in talks at MQM’s headquarters in Karachi. The MPs called the recent arrests of some party activists a “denial of due process,” according to Reuters.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s administration is trying to convince them to return to Parliament to return stability to Karachi even though their resignations do not keep the assembly from functioning.
Godil’s attack derails talks
The talks were cut short by Godil’s attack, and the MQM said in a statement that its leaders are holding an emergency meeting to discuss what they should do next. MQM Parliamentary leader Farooq Sattar told the media that they had been making progress toward a reconciliation between the government and the opposition party.
Fazl-ur-Rehman, who leads a minority party, said the attack was aimed at sabotaging the negotiations. He was representing the government in the talks between MQM and the government. He added that MQM intends to continue the talks in spite of the attack and that they will resume on a yet-to-be-decided date in Islamabad.
Every political party (including leaders) condemned the attack on MQM’s Rashid Godil:
I vehemently condemn the attempt on the life of MQM leader Rashid Godil. This anarchy and lawlessness in Karachi… http://t.co/5sawsMUJvw
— Pervez Musharraf (@P_Musharraf) August 18, 2015
Assassination attempt on the life of MQM MNA Rashid Godil is highly condemnable.
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) August 18, 2015
#PTI condemns the attack on MQM ldr Rashid Godil & demands arrest of culprits immediately, Prayers for his recovery pic.twitter.com/AKKob4O8qw
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 18, 2015
Just heard from an MQM MNA that Rashid Godil is slightly better but still very critical. We pin our hopes on this and pray for him
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 18, 2015
Praying for the safe recovery of Rashid Godil. Allah Reham
— Sharmila faruqi (@sharmilafaruqi) August 18, 2015
I pray for early recovery of Mr.Rashid GODIL and I condemn this attack.
— Senator Rehman Malik (@SenRehmanMalik) August 18, 2015
I condemn the Cowardly attack on Rashid Godil. It is aimed at sabotaging peace in KHI. The criminals must be caught ASAP and
— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) August 18, 2015
Shocked to hear about the attack on rashid godil. May Allah give him complete recovery.
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) August 18, 2015
