Sindh Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, wife found dead at residence

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Planning and Development Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, along with his wife, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his residence in Karachi’s upscale Defence area. 

According to our correspondent, the domestic servants and family members broke down the bedroom door, which was apparently locked from inside. The minister and his wife were shot in head, said the servants.

Polices said based on the circumstantial evidences it appears that the couple committed suicide. Bijarani’s wife Fariha Razzaq was a journalist and had also served as MPA in the past on a reserved seat.

As the news of Bijarani’s death broke, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership reached his residence, including Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, and Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza.

Bijarani was born on 1 July, 1946 in the Karampur, district Kashmore. He completed his Bachelors from National College Karachi, and LLB from Sindh Muslim Law College and Masters in Political Science.

He was elected in 2013 from PS-16 Jacobabad on PPP ticket.The veteran politician had served as MPA, MNA and Senator and was affiliated with the PPP since 70s.

Bijrani was an influential tribal figure in north Sindh. He was elected to the provincial assembly first in 1974 on PPP ticket. He was also elected in 1977 and 2013, besides serving as the party president Sindh chapter from 1986 to 1990.

He became member of National Assembly for the first time in 1990. He also held the portfolio of Sindh’s Education Minister.

CONDOLENCES

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered his condolences on the death of Bijrani. He expressed his deep shock on the death of Bijrani and his wife.

“Deeply shocked to learn about the murder of veteran PPP politician Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani & his wife! May Allah rest their souls in eternal peace & give patience to the bereaved family & friends,” said CM Punjab on social media site Twitter.

Deeply shocked to learn about the murder of veteran PPP politician Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani & his wife! May Allah rest their souls in eternal peace & give patience to the bereaved family & friends…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 1, 2018

Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the daughter of PPP chairman Asif Ali Zardari, said that she was ‘shocked and horrified’ by the tragic news of the murder of Bijrani.

Shocked and horrified by the tragic news of the murder of Minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and his wife today. My thoughts and prayers are with their family and may Allah give them strength during this incredibly difficult time

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) February 1, 2018

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Sindh President Arif Alvi also expressed his condolences. “”Very sad to hear about my friends Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Fariha Razzaq Haroon shot dead. May their souls rest in peace. Met him on Monday last & Fariha came over for lunch to my house on Saturday,”  he said.

Very sad to hear about my friends Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Fariha Razzaq Haroon shot dead. May their souls rest in peace. Met him on Monday last & Fariha came over for lunch to my house on Saturday

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) February 1, 2018

PPP MNA Nafisa Shah said: “Heartbreaking news has just been reported …This is a big tragedy for the family and the PPP both. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, constituents and our PPP family.”

Heartbreaking news have just been reported about Sindh’s senior minister Mir Hazar Khan Bijerani and his wife Fariha Razzaq’s death. This is a big tragedy for the family and the #PPP both. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, constituents and our #PPPfamily.

— Nafisa Shah (@ShahNafisa) February 1, 2018