School teacher shot dead in Pakistan, triggers protests

Karachi: A school teacher was shot dead today by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province over issues related to management of shrines, triggering violent protests with about 50 shops and some houses set ablaze.

Hundreds of angry protesters took to the streets in Luari Sharif town after the primary school teacher was shot dead.

He was allegedly killed by members of a rival group and that angered his supporters who came out in large numbers to protest and set on fire 50 shops and some houses of the rival group, a police officer said.

SSP Badin Ibrar Hussain Nekokar said that the rival groups had clashed before also in Luari Sharif town which is home to many shrines.

In the recent times, there have been clashes over the issue of management of shrines as both rival groups in the area claim ownership of the shrines, he said.

Badin is also the stronghold of the dissenting Pakistan Peoples Party leader Zulfiqar Mirza who has for months now been on a campaign against the provincial government and his party candidates recently swept the local bodies elections in Badin district union councils.