Sameer Nazir Siyal
SUKKUR/LARKANA: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) General Secretary Sindh and former Senator Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro assassinated in a targeted attack by armed men on Saturday early morning during prayers at Sukkur. He was laid to rest at his ancestral city at Gulshan-e-Haqqani colony near OPF colony Larkana. Namaz-e-Janaza was offered by Molana Masood Ahmed in the presence of hundred and thousands of peole among JUI-F chief Molana Fazl-u-Rehman, where he also received a salute by the Larkanians on his bravenes on the occasion.
As per details, Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro was offering Fajar prayer at Gulshan-e-Iqbal SITE, Sukkur, when four armed terrorists barged into the mosque Jamia Haqqai in Sukkur and opened indiscriminate firing. He was being shifted to hospital in a way he breathed his last, armed men targeted religious leader and fled the scene SSP Suhail Tanveer told. JUI Sindh leader Dr. Soomro had already received threats and recently firing over him at Dhamrah near Larkana. There is no one group has claimed responsibility for attack yet.
When the assassination news was spread out in country, like fire in jungle thousands of devotees and people belonging from different walk of life among religious, political, social and citizens a across the Sindh, Balochistan reached at Jamia Islamia Ashaat-ul-Quran Wal Hadith Dodai road and mourn the incident.
The body of late JUI leader Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro was brought to his native city Larkana from Sukkur early morning, where thousands of people of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab and the leaders among JUI Chief Mulana Fazal Rehman, Mulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, former federal Minister Molana Atta Rehman, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, KPK former Chief Minister Akram Durani, Provincial President JUI F Mulana Abdul Samad Halejvi, SUP Chairman Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah, Zain Shah, Abdul Razaq Lakho, STPP Chairman Dr. Qadir Magsi, Riaz Chandio, JSQM Chairman Sanan Qureshi, Dr. Niaz Kalani, attended funeral prayer of brave JUI leader Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro at Municipal Stadium Larkana.
According to his will Dr. Khalid Mehmood Soomro was buried at his ancestral city and his personal peace of land at Gulshan-e-Haqqani Housing Society near Jamia Islamia Ashaat-ul-Quran Wal Hadith Naudero road Larkana.
Late Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro was born in village Akil near Larkana on 7 November 1959, he passed primary education from his village, Matric from Government Pilot School Larkana, Intermediate in Government Degree College Larkana and got MBBS degree in CMC Larkana on 1983, later he went for higher education, got master in economics from Sindh University Jamshoro and received Islamic education in Cairo University of Egypt.
Slain Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro entered in politics on 1981 and joined the JTI , JUI and became General Secretary JUI Sindh on 1988 and remained consecutive 8 terms till to date , he contested several general election with Shaeed Benazir Bhutto at NA 207 constituency, he was elected Senator on JUI platform in 2006 to 2012, Dr Khalid Mehmmod Soomro during the MRD Tehreek in era of dictator Zia he faced 9 month imprisonment for revival of democracy, he was attacked 5 times before 6th attack proved fatal, He left behind a widow, six sons and three daughters and four brothers.
A complete Shutter down strike was carried out in Sindh and other parts of country, all the business men, traders, and citizens voluntarily closed their shops and express solidarity with JUI. The party workers and devotees in all parts of cities Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobahad, Shikarpur, Kamber-Shahdadkot, Hyderabad, Dadu, Karachi, Khairpur, Naushehroferoze, Mirpurkhas and other areas. Several areas have also been put on high alert and security checks are being carried out.
On the occasion, Nasir Mehmood Soomro the elder son of Dr. Khalid Mehmood Soomro appealed all the workers and devotees to remain calm over the situation and patience. JUI announced protests and 3 days mourn on his death in country. Responding to the attack, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in a press conference in Islamabad announced a nationwide protest on November 30.
Khalid Soomro was an influential member of the party, particularly in the Sukkur Larkana, Hyderabad and other areas of Sindh. He had served as a member of Pakistan’s senate (upper house) from 2006 to 2012.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of the attack and expressed his sorrows. He condemned the attack and said that the killers should be handed over to them as the state does not do enough for the protection of its people, whereas, PPP Chaiman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed sorrow over the said demise.
JUI Sindh leader Late Dr. Soomro laid to rest in Larkana
