KARACHI: At least one man was killed and several injured in Pakistan’s biggest city Karachi Tuesday when a riot broke out in protest at the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl.
Crowds took to the streets after the body of the victim was discovered late Monday, blocking the main road in the western suburb of Orangi Town in western Karachi where they hurled stones at riot police.
“One man has died because of a gunshot,” said Aamir Farooqi, the police chief in the district. “We are investigating whose bullet caused that death.”
A second police official confirmed the figure.
Relatives of the girl and hundreds of residents were angry over what they say has been police laxity in the case. A medical report said the child had been sexually assaulted and strangled.
As the demonstration boiled over, police fired in the air over the crowd and attacked demonstrators with batons.
Two protesters suffering from gunshot wounds were brought to nearby Abbasi Shaheed hospital, where one died later.
Another senior police officer said 10 to 15 police officials were injured during the violence.
The rioting comes months after six-year-old Zainab Fatima Ameen was raped and killed in eastern Pakistan’s city of Kasur, sparking nationwide outrage and soul-searching over how the country fails to protect its most vulnerable.
In February a Pakistani court handed down four death sentences on the man charged with the killing.
Rape and murder sparks riot in Pakistan’s Karachi
Rape and murder sparks riot in Pakistan’s Karachi
- At least one man was killed and several injured when a riot broke out in protest at the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl
- “We are investigating whose bullet caused that death,” says Aamir Farooqi, the police chief in the district
Jordan’s king, UK’s PM discuss Gaza, regional stability
- King Abdullah urges support for Syria’s efforts to protect its security, stability, sovereignty
- King also meets UK’s chief of defense staff during London visit
LONDON: The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer met King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss ways to support regional stability in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Downing Street said on Tuesday.
The meeting was also attended by Crown Prince Hussein and focused on the continuing need to advocate for increased access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
It also aimed at supporting reforms within the Palestinian Authority to facilitate the ceasefire and help implement the US-led peace plan.
The parties praised the strong relationship between the UK and Jordan, especially in defense cooperation.
The king reaffirmed Jordan’s opposition to Israeli actions aimed at establishing settlements and asserting sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, according to the Jordan News Agency.
He emphasized the importance of implementing the US-backed agreement to end the war in Gaza. He also urged support for the efforts of the Syrian Arab Republic to protect its security, stability, and sovereignty, Petra added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the Director of His Majesty’s Office Alaa Batayneh, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the UK Manar Dabbas were also present at the meeting.
The king met on Monday in London Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, the UK’s chief of the defense staff. Their discussion centered on enhancing defense cooperation between Jordan and the UK. Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, the chairman of Jordan’s joint chiefs of staff, also attended this meeting.
The king had met former British officials and members of Parliament prior to meeting Knighton. Discussions addressed the UK’s role in supporting efforts to restore stability within the region, alongside developments in Jerusalem, Gaza, Syria, and Iran.
