2 dead as Airline workers’ protest turns deadly in Pakistan

A supposedly peaceful protest by workers against the privatisation of Pakistan’s national carrier claimed the lives of two workers when a clash with police ensued.

According to reports, a deadly clash with the police took place moments after the protests began with two airline employees killed and others who were seriously injured taken to the hospital.

Read also: 19 people feared dead after assault on Pakistan university

After blocking the main entrance to Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport earlier on Tuesday, police and paramilitary rangers deployed tear gas and water cannons against the protesters.

An employee of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), identified as Inayat Raza died of a gunshot wound during Tuesday’s protest as he was brought to the hospital a spokesman for Karachi’s Agha Khan hospital told Al Jazeera.

“The PIA employee was brought dead to our emergency department,” he said. “He died of a gunshot to his head. His family has identified him as well.”

Interestingly, the law enforcement agencies on ground during the protests denied that they had opened fire on protesters.

“The situation escalated when a couple of gunshots were fired. My officers told me that they might be fired from the crowd,” said Kamran Fazal, the police chief of the city’s eastern district.

 

 

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