Four jailed for life in ex-MQM MNA Ali Raza Abidi's murder case

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) handed down jail terms to four individuals in the murder of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmaker Ali Raza Abidi to life imprisonment.

Alongside the prison terms, the court has also levied a fine of Rs100,000 on each of the convicted individuals.

The tragic incident unfolded in 2018 when unidentified attackers fatally shot Abidi multiple times outside his residence in the Khayaban-e-Ghazi neighborhood of Defence Housing Authority. Despite immediate medical attention at PNS Shifa Hospital, Abidi couldn't survive his critical injuries.

The initial post-mortem examination revealed that Abidi sustained four gunshot wounds to his neck, arm, and chest during the attack.

Abidi's political journey saw him elected as an MNA on the MQM's ticket during the 2013 general elections. However, following a split within the party prompted by the anti-Pakistan statements of the party's leader, Altaf Hussain, in August 2016, Abidi aligned himself with the Pakistan faction of the MQM.

In November 2017, Abidi tendered his resignation from the National Assembly, citing both political and personal motives. This decision came shortly after he publicly announced his departure from the MQM-P in response to its electoral collaboration with the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP).

Despite briefly rejoining the MQM-P in December 2017, Abidi ultimately parted ways with the party in September 2018. His untimely demise marked the end of a tumultuous and shifting chapter in his political career.