Renowned Shia poet killed in Pakistan

KARACHI: Poet and former principal of Liaquatabad College Professor Sibte Jafar was shot dead in Karachi on Monday, Express News reported.

According to initial details, unidentified armed men opened fire at Jafar while he was commuting through the Liaquatabad area on his motorbike.

Jafar’s body was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Police have started its investigation and more security personnel were summoned to keep the security situation in the area under control.

Evidence collected from the crime scene suggested that a 9mm pistol was used in the crime.

In the immediate aftermath of Professor Jafar’s murder, professors and lecturers in the province have announced a boycott of educational activities on Tuesday.

Apart from his educational duties, Professor Jafar was well known for his sozkhwani and marsia recitals. He was also known for his poetry in traditional Shia gatherings.

It is thought that his martyrdom follows an array of different assassinations targeting the Shia community in Pakistan.

The Shia Ulema council has announced three days of mourning and demanded that the killers be arrested immediately.

Shia community members have been targeted in the city by extremists. Recently, at least 50 people were killed in a terrorist attack in a Shia-neighbourhood of Abbas Town.

Source: The Express Tribune